Source: REUTERS/GIUSEPPE CACACE
[Saba Sports News] Before the 2024 F1 Saudi Grand
Prix, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. had to withdraw from the race due to
appendicitis, which required surgery. As a result, 18-year-old Oliver Behrman,
a youth training driver, was promoted to fill in for Sainz. Behrman had just won
pole position in the F2 Saudi Grand Prix qualifying. This marked his first-ever
participation in an F1 race, making him the third youngest race driver in F1
history, behind Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll. Behrman also became the
youngest driver to compete in an F1 race for Ferrari, breaking a record set by
Ricardo Rodríguez in 1961. In the race, Behrman finished in 7th place and
earned 6 driver points. His performance received widespread praise, and he was
hailed as the best driver of the day. Meanwhile, Sainz successfully underwent
an appendicectomy, and if there are no complications, he is expected to return
to the game in 10 days. Sainz sent a message to Behrman through the media,
acknowledging the opportunity and challenge of making the jump from F2 to F1
and encouraged him to continue working hard.