Ex-Formula One grand prix winner and former team-mate of Lewis Hamilton reveals he is set to undergo life-saving open-heart surgery… as the 42-year-old is forced to put a hold on rally driving career
- An ex-F1 driver has opened up about being diagnosed with a hereditary heart disease
- The driver worked with Lewis Hamilton and raced between 2007 and 2013
- He stated that he will have to undergo open heart surgery to correct the condition
A former Formula 1 driver has revealed he has been diagnosed with an enlarged aorta and will need open heart surgery.
The condition is asymptomatic and is usually diagnosed after undergoing an aortic aneurysm test using ultrasound.
The ex-F1 driver, who once teamed up with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton during the early years of his career, has revealed he has had to put his rally car season on hold and traveled to several countries to seek medical advice for the condition.
In conversation with Finish outlet IltalehtiHeikki Kovalainen, 42, revealed that he was diagnosed with a hereditary disease several months ago and will now undergo life-saving surgery.
“At the end of last season I decided to have a thorough physical examination done by the doctor,” said the former Renault, McLaren and Lotus driver.
A former McLaren Formula 1 driver has revealed he has been diagnosed with an enlarged aorta and will undergo open heart surgery
Heikki Kovalainen revealed he will undergo life-saving surgery for the hereditary condition
The Finnish driver (left) drove alongside Lewis Hamilton during the early years of his McLaren career
‘The idea was to check that a bigger problem hadn’t been found, but then this came to light.’
He added: ‘It’s a hereditary disease that I can’t do anything about. It’s good that it has now been discovered. Usually this problem is asymptomatic, except when it first occurs.’
The Finnish racing driver had 112 participations during his Formula 1 career, which ran from 2007 to 2013.
During that time he won just once at the circuit, claiming victory at the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix, while finishing on the podium four times during his career.
He would team up with Hamilton after both drivers moved to drive for McLaren during the 2008 season, making the British driver the ten youngest Formula World Champion.
Kovalainen’s last race in Formula 1 came in 2013 at the Brazilian Grand Prix, but he would continue racing cars and would go on to race in the Japan Rally Championship.
But due to his diagnosis, Kovalainen admitted he was disappointed to end his rally season after plans to compete in several races across Europe with the new Yaris WRC2 car.
Kovalainen, 42, stated that the “odds were on his side” and that he aimed to return to “living a normal life”
Kovalainen has been competing in rally car driving since he ended his Formula 1 career
The 42-year-old admitted he was disappointed at having to abandon his rally season
‘This health problem is sad, because big things have been agreed for this season. The intention was to defend the championship in Japan with the new Yaris WRC2 car. “In addition, the intention was to participate in some European and World Cup asphalt rallies in Europe,” he said.
‘My team is aware of my situation. I have been promised that as long as I am able to drive again, the agreed matters will be carried out.’
Kovalainen
‘The odds are on my side. However, if it happens that I cannot continue racing despite the operation, then so be it.
“My main goal is to live a normal life again.”