Heikki Kovalainen has confirmed that he requires open-heart s🌱urgery due to a p𓆏roblem with his aorta.

The former F1 d🌜river has been diagnosed with ascending aortic aneurysm.

It is a condition which means Kovalainen is not suffering any symptoms. But a medical test before a rallying event revea♛led that he had an issue.

The condition is a bulge in the artery closest to th🐼e🌊 heart. If untreated it can rupture which would be life-threatening.

Kovalainen, now 42, told : "At the end of last season, I decided toܫ have a thorough physical examination at the doctor.

"The idea was to check that ♓no bigger problem was found, but then this was revealed.

"It's a hereditary disease that I can't do anything about. It's g⛦ood that it was discovered now. 

"Usually, this problem is asymptomatic, except when i🌄t first occurs."

Kovalainen is now a rally car🔯 driver who has put on hold his plans to💛 enter the 2024 Japanese Rally Championship.

From 2007 to 2013 he raced inꦿ Formula 1, racking up 112 entries.

The 2008 Hun🌺garian Grand Prix was his sole victory.

He was the team🐭mate of Lewis Hamilton at McLaren in 2008.

Kovalainen also drove for Renault, Team ♌Lotu🔯s, Caterham and Lotus F1.