Inside Carlos Sainz's insane recovery from appendix surgery to Australian Grand Prix winner in just SIXTEEN days as Ferrari star pays tribute to 'those that made it happen'

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Carlos Sainz has lifted the lid on his miraculous recovery from appendix surgery to win the Australian Grand Prix. 

The Ferrari star thanked 'the people that made this happen' after taking the chequered flag in Melbourne just 16 days after undergoing the operation that saw him ruled out of the Saudi Arabia race.

'My road to recovery,' he posted on X - formerly known as Twitter. 'And a little tribute to the people that made this weekend happen. 

'Now time to get back training, in good shape and prepare the next few races. THANK YOU!'

Sainz shared photos of himself in a hospital bed sporting multiple bandages, which were still present when he was in his racing suit in Melbourne, as well as a video of himself doing strength work in the days after his surgery. 

Carlos Sainz has lifted the lid on his miraculous recovery from appendix surgery

The Spaniard missed the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix and somehow made it to Melbourne

He showed footage of himself strength training ahead of the Albert Park race

'Life sometimes is crazy,' he said.

'What happened at the beginning of the year (not being renewed at Ferrari), then the appendix and the comeback and the win - a rollercoaster, but I love it.'

Sainz revealed he went to dramatic lengths in a bid to be fit to race, including spending two hours a day in a hyperbaric chamber.

'When I was about to catch my flight to Australia, I was still in bed and could barely use my abdominal muscles,' he said.

'I was like 'this isn't going to happen'. But I took the flight and suddenly when I landed in Australia, the feeling was a lot better.'

Sainz's stock continues to rise following his impressive feat in Australia and, with Lewis Hamilton replacing him at the Scuderia from 2025, a battle is on to secure the Spaniard's services.

His Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc insists he is 'not too worried' about Sainz's future, and believes a number of team principals will be looking to make a move.

'I think everybody knows Carlos' worth in the paddock,' Leclerc said via planetf1.

Better still, Sainz took the chequered flag in an incredible recovery from 16 days earlier

'He's one of the highest-rated drivers in the paddock, and he's been extremely strong every time he was in a Formula 1 car, and he has shown it multiple times. So I don't think he's underrated for that.

'I think everybody knows Carlos' worth, and that's why I've said many times that I'm not too worried about his future, because I'm sure that many, many team principals are… He doesn't say it, but for sure they are speaking with him!

'And I'm sure he will have many opportunities and he'll just have to make the best choice for his career.'