Carlos Sainz will be absent from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend after testing positive for COVID-19. The Ferrari driver announced on social media that he had contracted the virus and would not be able to compete in the race.
In Sainz’s absence, Ferrari has decided to promote their Formula 2 driver, Robert Shwartzman, to fill in for him. The young Russian driver has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2019 and has impressed in the junior categories.
Shwartzman will be making his Formula 1 debut in Saudi Arabia, and he is excited about the opportunity to race in the pinnacle of motorsport. He expressed his gratitude to Ferrari for giving him this chance and promised to give his best in Sainz’s absence.
It will be a challenging task for Shwartzman to step up to Formula 1 at such short notice, but he has shown great potential in Formula 2, finishing as runner-up in the championship in 2020. Ferrari will be hoping that he can adapt quickly to the demands of the top tier of racing and deliver a solid performance in Sainz’s car.
Sainz, meanwhile, is in isolation and following the necessary protocols to recover from the virus. He expressed his disappointment at missing the race but reassured his fans that he is feeling well and will be back on track as soon as possible.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be an exciting race to watch, with the debut of Shwartzman adding an extra element of intrigue. It will be interesting to see how he performs against the established drivers on the grid and whether he can make an impression in his first Formula 1 outing.