Sainz feels ready but not at 100% after ‘ten days in bed’

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Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz is gearing up for his return to F1 action this weekend at the Australian GP, just two weeks after undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis.

Sainz hadn’t been feeling well on the runup to the Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah, but nevertheless took part in the event’s opening day of practice on Thursday.

However, unbearable pain overnight led to a diagnosis of appendicitis and to surgery which sidelined the Spaniard for the remainder of the weekend and thrust into the spotlight the Scuderia’s reserve driver Oliver Bearman.

Ferrari revealed positive news this week regarding Sainz’s recovery and on Thursday, the two-time Grand Prix winner confirmed that he was ready to get back behind the wheel.

Read also: Ferrari issues Melbourne update on Sainz – Bearman on call

When questioned about the difficulty of returning to the car after surgery, Sainz replied: “I’ll let you know tomorrow when I get back in the car and the G-forces throw me around a bit.

“But I feel ready. I’ve done as much as possible to recover and you cannot imagine the effort and logistics that I have done to be fit for this race.

“I’m very happy with the progress I’ve made and now, as I said, it’s time to jump in the car and see how I feel.”

However, Sainz admitted that he won't be operating at peak fitness this weekend, owing to the recovery process he has undergone over the past two weeks to ensure he's fit enough to compete.

“It’s not like I’ll be 100% for it, because obviously I’ve been ten days in bed, not ten days training, going to the simulator and preparing for a normal weekend,” commented the 29-year-old.

“But if I’m fit to race and don’t have any pain or any bad symptoms, I can still put together a strong weekend and the target will be to challenge the Red Bulls.”

Ferrari has put Bearman on call again for this weekend’s race to cover any eventual physical setback that Sainz may suffer.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.