Albon lightens the mood for Sainz who will miss the Saudi Arabian GP

Alexander Albon has lightened the mood for Carlos Sainz after it was announced that the Ferrari driver will be unable to compete in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

On arrival at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Sainz did not feel well, so he missed the first day of media commitments and returned to his hotel. On day two, Sainz competed in the first two practice sessions but was visibly unwell.

On Friday, prior to the third free practice and qualifying, Ferrari announced that the driver had been stricken with appendicitis and needed urgent surgery. He will, therefore, be replaced this weekend by Ferrari junior and Formula 2 driver Oliver Bearman.

Alex Albon once went through a similar situation. He had to skip the 2022 GP of Italy, also due to appendicitis. Nyck de Vries filled in for him at the time. The Williams driver lightened the mood for Sainz and immediately gave him a tip: "I know a good surgeon if needed," he wrote to Sainz on X (formerly Twitter).