Aston Martin make official Lance Stroll replacement decision as…readmore
Aston Martin has officially announced a change to their lineup for today’s final morning session of testing, with Lance Stroll being replaced due to health concerns. The team issued a statement confirming the switch after Stroll was unable to participate as planned. The Canadian driver had originally been scheduled to complete the first four hours of running during the morning session at the Bahrain International Circuit, before handing over to his teammate Fernando Alonso for the remainder of the day’s testing.
Stroll’s absence from the final session comes as a result of illness, although specific details regarding the nature of his condition have not been disclosed by the team. This unexpected development has led Aston Martin to make adjustments to their test plans, ensuring the car continues to run as scheduled.
Initially, Stroll had been expected to take part in the majority of the morning session, helping Aston Martin gather important data ahead of the season. However, with his illness preventing him from fulfilling his role, the team had to make a swift decision regarding his replacement. As a result, Fernando Alonso, who had been set to take over from Stroll in the latter part of the session, is now expected to drive for the full duration of the morning.
The decision comes at a crucial time for Aston Martin, as the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain is vital for the team to finalize their car setup and evaluate performance before the start of the Formula 1 season. With the official launch of the 2025 season just around the corner, any lost track time or disruption to the test schedule is significant, as teams are eager to make the most of the limited pre-season running.
Stroll’s health status remains a concern for the team, with no timeline given for his return to the track. Aston Martin will closely monitor his recovery and determine when it will be appropriate for him to resume testing or driving duties.
As of now, the focus shifts to Alonso, who will lead Aston Martin’s testing efforts for the rest of the morning session. The team will hope that the disruption does not significantly impact their preparation for the upcoming season, where they aim to build on their strong performance from previous campaigns.
