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Formula 1 grand prix winner Heikki Kovalainen is set to undergo open-heart surgery after a routine check-up found he suffered from a rare condition.
Kovalainen was supposed to compete in the Japanese Rally Championship with Rally Team AICELLO but will be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
“I was diagnosed with ascending aortic aneurysm in a medical check-up recently and I was told not to be able to participate in rallies due to increased risk of aortic rupture,” he said.
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“I have no symptoms and I’m currently feeling good, and we are now making a plan on how to solve this issue.
“An open heart surgery is our favourable solution at the moment and we are preparing for that. We hope to get an operation done and start the recovery as soon as possible.
“My aim is of course to return to the Japanese Rally Championship with Rally Team AICELLO.
“I was planning to participate in the rallies until the end of January, but after careful consideration with my team of doctors I’ve decided to try and fix this issue instead.
“I’m sorry for all our team partners and fans for this problem and many thanks for all the encouragement and support regarding this.”
Kovalainen, who hails from Finland, made his F1 debut in 2007 with McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton and scored his maiden podium later that year in the Japanese Grand Prix.
In 2008, Kovalainen won his first and last race, the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.
A lacklustre year with McLaren in 2009 saw him dropped before moving to Lotus in 2010.
He raced for them in 2011 and the rebranded Caterham team in 2012 before stepping back from full-time driving.
He made two cameo appearances with the team in 2013 finishing 14th in the United States Grand Prix and Brazilian Grand Prix.
Kovalainen turned his attention to Japan where he enjoyed success in sports car racing thereafter, winning the Super GT title in 2015.
He competed full-time in Super GT until 2021 before turning his attention towards rally.
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