Formula 1 racing is the pinnacle of one of the most traumatic sports. Although the organizers have achieved an incredible level of pilot safety in the new century, accidents and unpleasant incidents do occur from time to time.

However, at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Williams lost Alex Albon not due to a mechanical collision, but as a result of an inflamed appendix. A simple operation turned into a nightmare, so the British team had to urgently call a reservist.

While Albon was on a ventilator, Nick De Vries earned points on the run in his debut race.

Incredible storyline.

Common appendicitis

Before the start of the race weekend in Monza, the Williams team hung out in the basement of the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship. Over the 15 previous stages, they managed to earn only four points, and Alex Albon got them all. The Thai-British race car driver made his debut in the royal races in 2019, and the following season, speaking for Red Bull, he drove onto the podium twice and finished seventh in the final standings.

Photo: © Bryn Lennon / Staff/ Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

But this year, Alex is not impressive, although he performs much better than his Canadian partner Nicholas Latifi, who has never entered the top 10 yet. What was the disappointment of the bosses, when on Saturday morning on the eve of qualifying Albon felt unwell.

At the San Gerardo hospital, he was immediately diagnosed with appendicitis. In our time, an ordinary operation, so no one attached much importance to what happened, except that Williams had to urgently call a reserve rider:

Williams Racing can confirm that after feeling unwell this morning and seeking medical attention from the FIA ​​and the local hospital, Alex Albon is currently being treated for appendicitis. Based on this, we can confirm that reserve driver Nick De Vries will replace Alex for the remainder of the Italian Grand Prix weekend. Alex is in good spirits and the team wishes him a speedy recovery,” the team reported.

Incredible debut and terrible operation

The 27-year-old Dutchman unexpectedly got the chance to prove himself in Monza and at the same time make his debut in Formula 1. The former Formula E and Formula 2 champion competed in free practice in Spain and during the French Grand Prix, but he was never allowed into the main session. So only desperate optimists could count on his successful performance.

In qualifying, De Vries dropped out after the second segment and got 13th position, but performed better than teammate Latifi. He was content with 16th place, leaving the circle after the first segment. The Dutchman completed his personal program at least.

While the debutant was qualifying, Albon was just undergoing a laparoscopy, after which terrible things began to happen to the pilot. It became difficult for the 26-year-old athlete to breathe and had to be re-intubated, connected to a ventilator and transferred to intensive care.

After the operation, the British pilot developed severe respiratory failure. The team noted in a statement that this is a known but extremely rare complication caused by the effects of anesthesia.

Naturally, all Sunday in the camp of the British team, nervousness reigned, which, apparently, became the ideal motivation for De Vries. The debutant managed to take 9th place at the end of the Grand Prix and brought Williams two more points in offset, perfectly replacing Albon.

Photo: © NurPhoto / Contributor / NurPhoto / Gettyimages.ru

And the next day, the 9-time Constructors’ Championship winners issued a reassuring statement regarding the health of their main pilot:

“He made excellent progress overnight and was able to take him off the ventilator yesterday morning. He is currently transferred to the general ward and is expected to return home tomorrow. There were no other complications, they pleased the fans.

After such a successful end to a difficult stage, Williams can only regret the next failure of Latifi, who may suffer the most due to Albon’s problems. There is a chance that in Singapore we will see De Vries already as a replacement for the Canadian.