Williams driver Alex Albon has returned home after suffering respiratory failure following his treatment for appendicitis.
The 26-year-old missed the weekend’s Italian Grand Prix after being diagnosed and undergoing laparoscopic surgery on Saturday. Nyck de Vries drove in his place, securing a ninth-placed finish for the team at Monza.
However, following the operation, Albon suffered anaesthetic complications which led to respiratory failure and was placed under mechanical ventilation.
Albon made “excellent” progress and, on Tuesday, doctors allowed the Thai-British driver to return home and he flew back to his base in Monaco.
Formula One is beginning an unusually long break between races due to the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix and there is optimism that he will be fit for the next race, which takes place in Singapore on October 2.
Dutch rookie De Vries was praised for sealing two points on his debut race in F1.
He said: “It was a great day for the team and whilst grid penalties played in our favour, ultimately, we did a great race so I'm very happy for everyone in the team and for myself.
“Hopefully I will get a shot next year, but this is definitely a dream come true and I'm very impressed with what we've done in short notice, so I'll go enjoy it now.”
