Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is still “not moving freely” and may not be “ready for the rigours” of an F1 race ahead of his planned return at the Australian Grand Prix, it has been claimed.
In a social media post, Illman wrote: “Twelve days ago, Carlos Sainz had his appendix removed in Jeddah. Today I photographed him in the Albert Park paddock after he returned from riding the track on a bicycle with his crew.“I spoke to him for a couple of minutes and I’m not 100 per cent sure his body is ready for the rigours of an F1 race.
Illman was left with the impression that Sainz will likely participate in Friday’s opening free practice before deciding how to proceed for the rest of the weekend. “Now he will fly back with me and have one week of complete rest. We’ll take a decision on when he has to fly to Melbourne in one week’s time, but I’m quite optimistic.”