Ex-Formula 1 driver

After heart surgery: “I’m still a little shaken up”

Former Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen has had to undergo open heart surgery and has now spoken out. According to the Finn, the operation went well. However, he still feels a little winded.

In March, the long-time Formula 1 racing driver announced that an aortic aneurysm had been discovered during a routine examination and that open heart surgery was necessary. The Finn has now successfully undergone this operation. 

"I was operated on at Tampere University Hospital in the hands of a fantastic team of heart specialists. The open heart surgery went well," says the 42-year-old with relief. The doctors were able to do everything as they had planned.

"I am very relieved"
"They removed the dilated part of the aorta and inserted an artificial piece. Everything went smoothly. The procedure was major and I'm still a bit shaken up, but I can tell that I'm making rapid progress," says the Finn. He has now been allowed to return home to recover.

Now the chest bone has to heal first, then he wants to "get back to his old life": "Only time will tell if that really works, but from today's perspective I should be able to reach my previous fitness level. I am very relieved about that". 

Kovalainen raced for Renault and McLaren, among others, in Formula 1 between 2007 and 2013. His only triumph came in Hungary in 2008. He then worked as a rally driver, but it is not yet clear if and when he will be able to compete there again.