“That’s My Seat Ollie [Bearman]”: Carlos Sainz Came Back to Saudi Arabia Paddock With Vengeance, Claims F1 Pundit

After having secured a podium in the opening race of the season, Carlos Sainz was forced to sit out the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix due to an unexpected operation to remove his appendix. Understandably, this was a bitter moment for Sainz, not only because of the missed opportunity to score points but also because of the promising start he had to the 2024 season. However, Sainz surprised everyone by making his appearance in the Jeddah paddock to attend the Grand Prix alongside his team just a day after his surgery. According to F1 pundit, Matt Gallagher, the Spaniard did this to make a statement to his substitute driver, Oliver Bearman, that he will be back to racing in Australia.

When asked by the media why he was present in the paddock and not resting in his hotel, Sainz remarked, “It’s not a nice feeling, obviously, not to be able to race.“ He lamented the loss of potential points, especially considering the competitive edge Ferrari seemed to have in Jeddah. However, rather than confining himself to his hotel room as advised by doctors, he opted to join his team at the race venue in Saudi Arabia, something Matt spoke about in a recent podcast.

“I knew 100% when he came back into the paddock in Saudi after his operation. There is no way he is missing Australia,” Matt said in a recent Sky Sports F1 podcast. “Even just to turn up there was a statement of ‘Yeah, That’s my seat, Ollie, I know that you’re having a great time this weekend, but I will be back.’ And I know for a fact in that plan of how to get better in two weeks, he did not have Drive To Survive filming him. So I think that would have added a level of stress that perhaps he wouldn’t have needed. But no, it shows.”

Despite his absence from the track, Sainz didn’t miss the chance to commend his replacement, Oliver Bearman, for his performance in Saudi Arabia. Having to deal with the pressure of stepping into Sainz’s shoes with minimal practice time, Bearman rose to the occasion admirably. The Spaniard attributed Bearman’s success to the rigorous preparation modern drivers undergo, including extensive simulator sessions and testing with older model cars.

Despite the doubts lingering over his participation in the Australian Grand Prix, Sainz took part in the race weekend in full and claimed a commanding victory over his teammate, Charles Leclerc.

Carlos Sainz planned an innovative solution to help with his pain in Australia

Carlos Sainz’s determination and resilience were on full display during the Australian GP, as he was not feeling comfortable throughout the weekend. Formula 1 journalist Kym Illman provided insight into Sainz’s physical state leading up to the race, describing him as visibly uncomfortable while navigating the paddock.

“He looked very groggy, very ginger, moving around. Almost hobbling, and he showed a couple of team crew his scar,” Illman said in a recent video on his YouTube channel. Illman recalled Sainz’s efforts to address his discomfort by introducing an innovative solution to help with the pain from his recent surgery. “And then he showed them what he was going to do during the track sessions. That, he put some rubber underneath the seat belt buckle,” he added.

However, it remained uncertain whether Sainz ultimately implemented these modifications during the race itself. Despite his courageous efforts, it was evident that Sainz was not operating at full capacity. Following the race, Sainz showed signs of discomfort, taking his time to exit the car and avoiding any sudden movements that could worsen his condition. Even during the podium celebrations, he remained mindful of the risk of further injury.

Can Carlos Sainz keep up his momentum and go for another victory in Japan, considering that Ferrari is expecting a strong car at Suzuka International Circuit? What are your thoughts on the matter?

READ MORE: “Carlos Sainz-Max Verstappen, Not a Bad Combination”: Ex-Ferrari Team Boss Speculates Red Bull’s Future Team; Sergio Perez‘s Contract Renewal Comes in the Way