Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur praised driver Carlos Sainz for his “amazing” victory at the Australian GP after his surgery for appendicitis.
Sainz was out of the Saudi Arabian GP after being diagnosed with the disease, and then underwent surgery. He then had only one week to recover before being back in the paddock and racing.
The Spaniard had an impressive weekend around Melbourne and went on to win the Grand Prix after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen retired due to a technical malfunction.
Speaking after the race, team principal Vasseur praised Sainz for his efforts in such difficult circumstances.
“This winter we agreed together to push until the last lap of the season,” Vasseur said about Sainz’s performance with the team.
“And he did a fantastic job. He was there in Bahrain, pushing the team also, and for sure Jeddah was a tough weekend, a tough weekend for Carlos, a tough weekend for the team.
“But the recovery is mega. You have to keep in mind that two weeks ago he was in the hospital. I think even Friday he was not 100 per cent sure to be able to drive.
“And after a couple of laps, he was on the pace, and this was part of the success – because you can’t give up one lap in free practice if you want to perform.
“For sure, it’s amazing. If you have a look on where he’s coming from nobody expected a result like this today.”