Alexander Albon fell ill on Saturday morning and missed the remainder of the 2022 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix weekend as a result, leaving his seat in the hands of Grove team reserve driver Nyck de Vries.
On Monday, Williams announced in an official statement that Albon suffered “complications leading to respiratory failure” after the operation, requiring the pilot to be reintubated and transferred to the intensive care unit.
After improving his state of health overnight in the ICU, the Thai was transferred back to a general care ward on Sunday, and is expected to be discharged from hospital tomorrow, Tuesday.
“Following Alex Albon’s diagnosis of appendicitis on the morning of Saturday, September 10, he was admitted to San Gerardo Hospital for treatment. There he successfully underwent laparoscopic surgery on Saturday noon,” Williams said in a statement.
“Following surgery, Alex suffered unexpected post-operative anesthetic complications leading to respiratory failure, a known but rare complication. He was re-intubated and transferred to intensive care.”
“He made a lot of progress overnight and outside help was withdrawn yesterday morning. He has now been moved to a general ward and is expected to go home tomorrow. There were no other complications.”
The British team added that Albon hopes to return to action at the Singapore Grand Prix, which takes place during the last weekend of September.
“Alex is fully focused on recovery and preparation ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix later this month,” the statement added.
“Alex would like to thank the excellent care and support he has received, including the nursing, anesthesia and ICU teams at Hospital San Gerardo – ASST Monza, the FIA medical team, his coach Patrick Harding, the Williams team and Dr. Luke Bennett of HINTSA Performance.”
Nyck De Vries , who finished ninth on his top-flight debut at Monza, will be keeping an eye on whether or not Albon is unable to race in Singapore .
