Williams driver Alex Albon suffered serious respiratory failure following his appendix operation

Williams Formula One driver Alex Albon has suffered a serious respiratory failure following his operation to remove his appendix after struggling with appendicitis at the weekend.

The simple operation was performed at the San Gerardo hospital in Monza, with Albon successfully treated for his condition. 

However, unforeseen complications after the operation caused the British driver severe respiratory failure that saw him placed in intensive car.

Williams driver Alex Albon suffered a serious respiratory failure following an operation

Albon struggled at Red Bull in recent years but has impressed during his time at Williams so far

The 26-year-old was intubated and transferred to the specialist ward where he was monitored. 

Albon was placed back on a general ward after making excellent progress during the night and is expected to return home on Tuesday.

An official statement on the Williams Racing website read: 

The 26-year-old was placed into intensive care after respiratory complications on Saturday

‘Further to Alex Albon’s diagnosis of appendicitis on the morning of Saturday 10 September, he was admitted to San Gerardo hospital for treatment. 

‘He underwent a successful laparoscopic surgery on Saturday lunchtime.

‘Following surgery, Alex suffered with unexpected post-operative anaesthetic complications which led to respiratory failure, a known but uncommon complication. 

‘He was re-intubated and transferred to intensive care for support.

‘He made excellent progress overnight and was able to be removed from mechanical ventilation yesterday morning. 

The Williams driver missed Sunday’s Monza grand prix in Italy due to appendicitis

‘He has now been transferred to a general ward and is expected to return home tomorrow. There were no other complications,’ said Williams.

News first broke of Albon’s appendix problems on Saturday when he was ruled out of the Italian GP as reserve driver Nyck de Vries was drafted in to replace him for the event.

Albon, who races under the Thai flag because of his mother Kankamol’s nationality, spent last year on the sidelines after he was dropped by Red Bull.

But has steadily impressed since his transfer to the British team, scoring his first point for Williams at the Australian Grand Prix in April, with two further top-10 finishes in Miami and Belgium.