Sainz Issues Update On His Recovery Ahead Of Race In Australia

Thursday, 21 March 2024 at 07:30

Scuderia Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who left out the second race of the season, gave a media update on his recovery ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Sainz did not attend the second race of the season because of urgent appendix surgery. Ferrari wrote on its website ahead of the race in Australia that the Spaniard "is expected" to be back in the car this weekend.

However, an F1 photographer shared his interaction with the number 55, saying he didn't look like he could move freely after getting off the bike following his "track walk."

It currently seems Sainz wants to attend at least the first practice session to see how he feels and decide from there. He told the media at the Albert Park Circuit:

"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."

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It is unimaginable what the 29-year-old would have to do to recover in only two weeks and go straight to the F1 cockpit from surgery, after which he barely walked.

"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.

"Progress, 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."

During the one and only race in which he took part, Carlos Sainz managed to closely follow Sergio Perez, but could not overtake the Mexican driver. Asked whether he could challenge any of the Red Bulls this weekend, he responded:

"I'll try for sure. It's not like I'll be 100 per cent for it because obviously I've been 10 days in bed – not 10 days training and going to the simulator and preparing for a normal weekend."

"But, if I'm fit to race and I 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 Bull."