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Carlos Sainz finished on the podium at the start of the season
Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is out of the Formula 1 race in Saudi Arabia due to appendicitis.
The 29-year-old Spaniard had to undergo an operation, the Scuderia announced on Friday.
Sainz will be represented by replacement driver Oliver Bearman at the final training and qualification on Friday and at the Grand Prix in Jeddah on Saturday (6 p.m./Sky).
The 18-year-old Brit usually drives in the Formula 2 junior series for the Prema team.
He has been a member of Ferrari's driver academy since 2022.
Last year he gained some Formula 1 experience with Ferrari partner team Haas during training sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
Sainz complained of feeling unwell shortly after his arrival in Saudi Arabia and left the route again on Wednesday to recover in the hotel.
In training on Thursday he completed both units and came seventh in the daily ranking.
Last Saturday, Sainz finished third at the season opener in Bahrain.
The Madrilenian native is driving his last season for Ferrari.
Next year he will have to give up his place for record world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will move from Mercedes to Scuderia.
Sainz does not yet have a new employer.
cev/dpa