Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after he was diagnosed with appendicitis following Thursday’s practice sessions.

He will be replaced by 18-year-old Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who was due to race in Formula 2 this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

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Sainz missed Wednesday’s media day in Jeddah after feeling unwell and, before his diagnosis, completed a limited amount of practice on Thursday with the intention of saving his strength ahead of Friday’s qualifying and Saturday’s race.

However, ahead of the final practice session Friday, Ferrari revealed Sainz had been diagnosed with appendicitis, requiring surgery that will rule him out of this weekend’s event.

Bearman, who will make his F1 debut in place of Sainz, was named as Ferrari’s reserve driver in January this year.

The British driver joined Ferrari’s driver academy in 2021, and took part in his first F1 practice sessions with the Haas F1 team in Mexico and Abu Dhabi last year. On Jan. 31 this year, he took part in a Ferrari test with a two-year old car in Spain.

On Thursday, Bearman qualified on pole position for this weekend’s F2 feature race, but will now not take part in the rest of F2 weekend in order to fully focus on F1.

He will become the first driver to make their F1 debut with Ferrari since Arturo Merzario made his with the Italian team at the 1972 British Grand Prix.

“Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will require surgery,” a Ferrari statement said. “As from FP3 and for the rest of this weekend, he will be replaced by reserve driver Oliver Bearman.

“Oliver will therefore take no further part in this round of the F2 Championship. The Ferrari family wishes Carlos a speedy recovery.”