F1 News: Driver SPOTTED ahead of Australian Grand Prix as return rumors swirl

All of 2023's F1 drivers lineup for a photo at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Driver SPOTTED ahead of Australian Grand Prix as return rumors swirl

The Spaniard may play his part in Melbourne

Originally written by Sam Cook. This version is a translation.

Tuesday 19 March 2024 18:00

Ferrari star Carlos Sainz's status for the Australian Grand Prix is still up in the air, but the Spaniard is trending toward racing.

Appendicitis and a subsequent appendectomy ruled Sainz out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last time out, but has had over a week to recover.

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Although Sainz did manage to watch Ollie Bearman's phenomenal stand-in display in Jeddah from the sidelines, the 29-year-old appeared to be a bit tender, prompting concerns about his future involvement.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur suggested that the team would wait to see whether Sainz was able to make the flight to Melbourne, before making an official decision.

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Now, it seems as though the Spaniard's place on the grid this weekend is more likely than not, after Marca reported that Sainz was spotted at the airport in Melbourne, and appeared in much better spirits than 10 days ago.

The 29-year-old scored a podium in his one and only race so far in 2024 at the Bahrain GP, beating team-mate Charles Leclerc despite being out-qualified by the Monegasque driver.

Sainz will be replaced by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at the end of this season, and his post-2024 future is still up in the air.

Ferrari Carlos Sainz Australian Grand Prix Fred Vasseur