Williams confirmed that Alex Albon is receiving treatment at the hospital after he began to feel unwell on Saturday morning; the team says the 26-year-old driver is in “good spirits”; Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries will fill in for Albon for the remainder of the weekend at Monza
Last update: 10/09/22 12:06
Alex Albon is being treated in hospital for appendicitis
Alex Albon has been ruled out of the Italian Grand Prix amid ongoing treatment for appendicitis and will be replaced for the remainder of the weekend at Monza by Nyck de Vries.
Williams said Albon is in “good spirits” despite receiving ongoing treatment in hospital after falling ill on Saturday morning.
De Vries, who is the back-up driver to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes, will make his Formula 1 qualifying and race debut, having previously driven in practice sessions.
“Williams Racing can confirm that, after not feeling well this morning and seeking medical advice from the FIA and local hospital, Alex Albon is now undergoing treatment for appendicitis,” the team said in a statement.
“Following this, we can confirm that the team’s reserve driver Nyck de Vries will drive in place of Alex for the remainder of the Italian Grand Prix weekend. Alex is in good spirits and the team wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Shortly after the team’s announcement, Albon himself posted on social media confirming that his treatment will include surgery.
He tweeted: “Appendicitis, surgery and no racing is not what I expected this weekend!”
Former Formula E and Formula 2 champion De Vries drove at Monza on Friday after Aston Martin allowed him to use one of the two new driver test sessions for the season in place of Sebastian Vettel.
Nyck de Vries drove in Friday practice for Aston Martin at Monza
Mercedes has been trying to help the 27-year-old’s quest to find a permanent place in Formula 1, also having him deputize for Hamilton in practice at the French GP and for Williams at the Spanish GP.
With several places in next season’s grid still potentially up for grabs, Albon’s misfortune offers De Vries a huge opportunity to underline his credentials.
Watch qualifying live on Sky Sports F1 at 3pm on Saturday.
