MELBOURNE, Australia — Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz said he experienced “no issues” after returning to the cockpit of his Formula One car for the first time since he underwent surgery to remove his appendix two weeks ago.

Sainz completed 48 laps of the Albert Park circuit in Friday’s opening two practice sessions for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix and set the third fastest time.

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The 29-year-old missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix two weeks ago after being diagnosed with appendicitis on the morning of qualifying day, but looks set to make a full return at this weekend’s race in Australia.

“I feel OK, obviously a bit tired after practice and not being 100% physically,” he said after the second practice session.

“But I felt like I had a good day, managed to do the whole programme. If you would have told me a week ago that I could have done the whole practice without issues, I would have been very happy.

“I’m very happy for that. Obviously, I need a good night’s sleep and good recovery for tomorrow. I felt good.”

In the second of the two practice sessions, Sainz was 0.430s off the best time of the day set by teammate Charles Leclerc, but he is confident he will be closer in qualifying.

“I think particularly Charles looked very quick today,” he added. “On my side obviously, I took it step by step and getting it up into a rhythm, not at the limit of the car and not at the limit of myself yet.

“But I think with more laps and getting a bit more confident with how everything feels inside. I think I will be faster tomorrow and hopefully battle for that pole position together with him against everyone else because I think it’s going to be tight.

“We saw in FP1, in FP2, I think we did a good step. I think qualifying tomorrow is going to be more like FP1.”

Leclerc said he believes Ferrari has its best opportunity this year to beat Max Verstappen to pole position after the Red Bull driver secured pole and the race win at the opening two grands prix of 2024.

“I would say that we are in a better position than at the first two races,” Leclerc said. “However, Red Bull weren’t pushing yet so we have got to wait and see where their potential is at.

“I think there are still ahead, but we might have our best shot this weekend since the beginning of the weekend.”