Warning: Accommodates doubtlessly distressing pictures of post-surgery wounds and scars.
Heikki Kovalainen was team-mate to Lewis Hamilton at McLaren for 2 years (Picture: Getty)
Method 1 race-winner Heikki Kovalainen has proven off his scars two years on from open coronary heart surgical procedure. He selected to go beneath the knife in April 2024, not lengthy after a routine medical check-up found an issue together with his aorta which required medical intervention, and for the Finnish racer to place his rallying profession on maintain.
“I used to be recognized with an ascending aortic aneurysm on the finish of final yr. Principally, a bit of the ascending aorta that was dilated rather a lot,” he stated on the time. Then aged 42, he underwent an operation at a hospital in Tampa, Florida, the place he was taken care of by “a beautiful staff of medical doctors, nurses and assistants”.
Kovalainen added: “The surgical procedure went effectively and we managed to get carried out precisely what we had been planning on doing. The outlook is kind of good. There is a chance to make a full restoration and regain full health, however after all time will solely inform finally the way it all works out. However thus far the estimation is kind of good, so I am very happy with that.”
He acquired loads of public assist on the time, Kovalainen being a preferred determine within the motorsport world. He’s finest identified for beginning 111 F1 races together with a two-year stint with McLaren, the place he was team-mate to Lewis Hamilton and received the 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix in the identical season the Brit develop into world champion for the primary time.
And, fortunately, that constructive prognosis seems to have been right. In a brand new publish on his social media pages, Kovalainen has mirrored on his ordeal. He wrote: “It is arduous to imagine it is over two years since my open coronary heart surgical procedure for an aortic aneurysm.
“It was one thing that was found in a medical check-up, with none signs. I am without end grateful to the medical doctors and nurses who taken care of me, and to have the ability to reside my life with out limitations is really a blessing. A fading scar is reminding me of that occasion daily after I’m wanting on the mirror.”
Now two years post-op, Kovalainen’s scars have light (Picture: Heikki Kovalainen/Instagram)
He acquired an enormous variety of supportive messages within the feedback part, together with from many others who’ve endured related procedures and restoration durations. His former on-track rival Felipe Massa additionally replied, whereas information of his operation had fully bypassed one other ex-F1 racer as former Benetton, McLaren and Williams driver Alex Wurz wrote: “Wow, I did not know. Keep comfortable, man, thanks for sharing.”
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Kovalainen continues to be lively in motorsport, having been an everyday participant within the All-Japan Rally Championship lately. This yr he takes half within the Italian Rally Championship and stated: “I made a decision to not proceed competing in Japan, however I did not need to cease racing in rallies. I really feel the necessity to maintain driving.”
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