Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate when he received his first Formula One World Championship requires life-saving surgical procedure.
Former Renault, McLaren and Lotus driver Heikki Kovalainen revealed he has been identified with an enlarged aorta and requires open-heart surgical procedure. The 42-year-old has been a rally driver since leaving F1 however has needed to put his profession on maintain.
The Fin has been travelling to completely different nations to hunt medical recommendation for his situation and he’ll quickly bear surgical procedure after present process an aortic aneurysm check.
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Speaking to Finish outlet Iltalehti, Kovalainen stated: “At the end of last season, I decided to have a thorough physical examination at the doctor’s. The idea was to check that no bigger problem was found, but then this was revealed.”
“It’s a hereditary disease that I can’t do anything about. It’s good that it was discovered now. Usually, this problem is asymptomatic, except when it first occurs,” he added.
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(Image: AFP by way of Getty Images)
His surgical procedure has compelled him to cancel his plans to take part in a number of races throughout Europe this yr. He added: “This health problem is sad, because big things had been agreed for this season. The intention was to defend the championship in Japan with the new Yaris WRC2 car. In addition, it was planned to participate in some EC and WC asphalt rallies in Europe.
“My team is aware of my situation. I have been promised that as long as I get back into driving condition, the agreed things will be implemented. The probabilities are on my side. However, if it happens that I can’t continue racing despite the operation, then so be it. My primary goal is to get back to a normal life.”
(Image: AFP by way of Getty Images)
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Kovalainen had 112 entries throughout his F1 profession which noticed him race for Renault, McLaren, Lotus and Caterham between 2007 and 2013. The Fin would declare his one and solely victory within the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix with McLaren as he was joined on the rostrum by fellow countryman Kimi Raikkonen.
His final race in Formula One got here again in 2013 on the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix. He bowed out with 4 podium finishes to his title earlier than persevering with his profession in motorsport – transferring to race within the Japan Rally Championship.