Heikki Kovalainen has confirmed that he requi🔴res open-heart surgery due to a problem with his aorta.

The former F1ꦕ driver has been diagnosed with ascending aortic ☂aneurysm.

ܫIt is a condition which means Kovalainen is not suffering any symptoms. ♏But a medical test before a rallying event revealed that he had an issue.

The condition is a bulge i🐎n the artery closest🎀 to the heart. If untreated it can rupture which would be life-threatening.

Kovala🎐inen, now 42, told : "At the end of last season, I decided to h🌃ave a thorough physical examination at the doctor.

"The idea was to check that no bigger problem was found, but then this was reve🍃aled.

"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 whe🧔n it♕ first occurs."

Kovalainen is now a rally car driver who has put on hold his plans to enter the 2024 Japanese Rally C🎃hampionship.

Frꩲom 2007 to 2013 he raced in Formula 1, racking up 112 entries.

The 2008 🌌Hungarian Grand Prix was his🧸 sole victory.

He was the teammate of Lewis Hamilton at McLar🌌en in 2008.

Kovalainen also drove for Renault, Team Lotus♏, Caterham and Lotus F1.