- The Briton, 18, finished seventh at the Saudi Arabian GP after coming on for Sainz
- Ferrari has confirmed that Sainz will return, but the Spaniard may still not race
British star Oliver Bearman could race again this weekend after Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz revealed he would not take part in the Australian Grand Prix if he feels unwell during Friday’s practice.
Bearman put in a stunning performance on his F1 debut after the Briton, 18, replaced Sainz at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix two weeks ago after the Spaniard withdrew due to appendicitis.
Sainz has returned for this weekend’s race in Melbourne after successful surgery, but admitted he may have to withdraw if he ‘doesn’t feel well’ when he takes to the track on Friday.
“First of all, just seeing me moving and the exercises I’m doing in the gym says everything that I’m fit to jump in the car tomorrow and give it a try,” he said.
‘But of course I’m not stupid and if I don’t feel well tomorrow I will be the first to raise my hand and say I need two more weeks until the next race (the Japanese Grand Prix).
Oliver Bearman could be back in the Ferrari car if Carlos Sainz fails practice
Sainz has returned after successful surgery on his appendix ruled him out of the Saudi GP
‘This together with the FIA is also the plan we have drawn up. Tomorrow I have another check with the FIA and they will monitor my progress.
‘And I’m the first one who doesn’t want to be in pain, to suffer or to make it worse. I’m not stupid and I’ll be very clear about how I feel and all that.
‘Besides, I wouldn’t have jumped in the car in Jeddah on Thursday if it wasn’t possible. I did 26 laps because I could, not because I was in pain. Yes, it wasn’t an easy 26 laps per session, but I was able to finish them.’
Bearman was one of the stars of the Saudi GP in Jeddah, finishing 11th in qualifying before storming to seventh in the race.
The 18-year-old from Essex will return to the sidelines in Melbourne if Sainz is fit enough to compete.
On Thursday, photos showed Sainz rearranging his seat after it was used by Bearman.
‘It’s obviously not a great feeling not to be able to race, especially after such a strong start to the season, to see how competitive the car was again in Jeddah – while you think and calculate how many points you’ve lost!’ Sainz added.
Sainz was pictured back in the Ferrari car on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Australian GP
‘Then at the next race you think that you cannot go into the simulator and prepare or train for fourteen days. It’s not ideal.
‘Oil? Really good work. I agree with Charles (Leclerc) that this is also due to the way these drivers are prepared nowadays with the amount of simulator time and the amount of testing we do with the old cars.
‘Thanks to that it is also possible to do what he did, but under pressure with only FP3 he got things done very well and did a great job.’
Training in Melbourne is scheduled for Friday, with qualifying on Saturday and the race itself on Sunday.