Carlos Sainz Continues to Struggle with Illness in Jeddah After Challenging Day
Carlos Sainz faced major difficulties in Jeddah in preparation for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, due to a stomach infection which has weakened him in recent days. Not only did Ferrari’s Spanish driver miss his media commitments on Wednesday, but he also had a difficult day during Thursday’s two practice sessions.
Sainz managed to stay on track in both sessions, but admitted it was one of the toughest days he has ever experienced behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. He cited the physical demand of the Corniche circuit of Jeddah, with its high turning speed and strong G-forces, making the situation even more difficult.
“I’ve had a very difficult last 24 hours, if I’m honest,” Sainz said. “I’m happy that I was able to do it this Thursday and finish the race plan, but it was definitely my most difficult day in a Formula 1 car on such a demanding track, with high G forces and with a heart infection. stomach and for being sick is not ideal.”
Despite the physical discomfort, Sainz managed to complete the training program and provided valuable feedback to the Ferrari team. He stressed the importance of rest to fully recover before Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race.
Despite the challenge, Sainz managed to qualify sixth in FP1 and seventh in FP2, demonstrating his ability to handle the adverse situation. He hoped to take a step forward on Saturday and fully recover to maximize his performance during the race weekend.
This is not the first incident involving a driver facing less than ideal health conditions during a Formula 1 race weekend. Other cases include George Russell coming down with the flu at the end from last season and Lando Norris who battled tonsillitis in Spain in recent years.
Despite the challenges, Sainz and his Ferrari team remain optimistic about their potential performance for the rest of the weekend. With intense competition and a battle for important places, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises emotions and twists and turns in the outcome of the event.