MADRID, 12 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Thai driver Alexander Albon (Williams) is recovering from respiratory failure caused by the anesthesia he had to be administered to undergo surgery for appendicitis, an ailment that prevented him from competing in the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, Williams Racing confirmed on Monday. .
“Postoperatively, Alex suffered unexpected postoperative anesthetic complications leading to respiratory failure, a known but rare complication. He was reintubated and transferred to intensive care for support,” his team confirmed.
Albon, 26, took part in Friday’s free practice at Monza, but started feeling unwell on Saturday morning and was diagnosed with appendicitis and operated on at Monza’s San Gerardo hospital. “He underwent successful laparoscopic surgery on Saturday at lunch,” Williams said.
Following the complications, the Thai made “excellent progress overnight and yesterday morning” and was able to be taken off mechanical ventilation on Sunday. “He has now been moved to a general room and he is expected to return home tomorrow. There were no other complications,” he stated.
Williams is now confident the rider will make a speedy recovery to prepare for the Singapore Grand Prix later this month. “Alex would like to thank the excellent care and support he has received, including the nursing, anesthesia and ICU teams at San Gerardo hospital, the FIA medical team, his performance coach Patrick Harding, the Williams Racing team and Dr. Luke Bennett,” he said.
Dutch driver Nyck de Vries replaced Albon in Sunday’s race and picked up two points by finishing ninth on his Formula 1 debut.