FORMER Formula One star Heikki Kovalainen has announced he will be undergoing life-changing surgery.
The 42-year-old has been diagnosed with an enlarged aorta and needs to undergo open-heart surgery as a result.
Kovalainen, who now takes part in rally racing, has had to put his career on hold as a result.
Speaking to Finnish outlet Iltalehti, the racing icon said: “At the end of last season, I decided to have a thorough physical examination at the doctor’s.
“The idea was to check that no bigger problem was found, but then something like this was revealed.”
He added: “It’s a hereditary disease that I can’t do anything about. It’s good that it was discovered now.
“Usually, this problem is asymptomatic, except when it first occurs.”
MORE TO FOLLOW…
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
