Lance Stroll Ruled Out of Spanish Grand Prix Due to M…read more
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has officially been ruled out of the Spanish Grand Prix due to ongoing medical concerns related to a previous injury. The team confirmed the decision late Saturday, just hours after Stroll participated in qualifying at the Circuit de Catalunya. He managed only 14th on the grid, while his teammate Fernando Alonso reached Q3 and secured a spot in the top 10.
In a statement released by Aston Martin, the team revealed that Stroll has been experiencing recurring pain in his hand and wrist over the past six weeks. This discomfort is believed to be a consequence of a surgical procedure he underwent in early 2023. “Over the course of the past six weeks, Lance has been experiencing pain in his hand and wrist, which his medical consultant believes is in relation to the procedure he underwent in 2023,” the statement read. “As a result, his medical team have confirmed that he will not race tomorrow and he will undergo a procedure to rectify these issues before focusing on his recovery.”
Stroll’s medical struggles trace back to a serious cycling accident that occurred on the eve of the 2023 season. The Canadian fractured both of his wrists in the incident but showed remarkable resilience to recover in time for the opening round of the championship in Bahrain. Since then, however, lingering issues appear to have persisted and may now have caught up with him physically.
The withdrawal comes at a critical time for both Stroll and Aston Martin. With the decision made after qualifying, Formula 1 regulations prohibit the team from replacing him for Sunday’s race. This means that the grid for the Spanish Grand Prix will consist of only 19 cars. It’s a notable blow for the Silverstone-based outfit, which has been battling for points and development progress amid intense midfield competition.
Questions surrounding Stroll’s condition had already begun to surface following Saturday’s qualifying session. Observers noted that Stroll remained in the team garage for an extended period after the end of Q2, rather than proceeding directly to the FIA’s mandatory post-session weighing. He reportedly delayed this routine requirement by around five minutes, an unusual occurrence in the tightly scheduled world of Formula 1. He was subsequently summoned by the FIA for the delay, although that process was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances and has not yet resulted in a formal decision.
The timing of Stroll’s withdrawal also raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, his home race, which is scheduled to take place on June 15. While no official timeline for his return has been announced, Aston Martin is already believed to be considering its options. Should Stroll remain unfit to compete, the team is likely to call upon reserve driver Felipe Drugovich to fill the vacant seat. Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion, has previously served as Aston Martin’s go-to reserve and was on standby during Stroll’s recovery period last season.
For now, Aston Martin and Stroll’s fans will be hoping for a swift and successful procedure and a full recovery. Team principal Mike Krack has previously praised Stroll’s grit and determination, but the priority will now be on ensuring the driver’s long-term health and fitness. With a demanding stretch of races on the horizon and valuable championship points at stake, both the team and Stroll face a challenging few weeks ahead.
The Spanish Grand Prix will go ahead with only 19 drivers on the grid, an unusual but not unprecedented occurrence in Formula 1. All eyes will now be on Aston Martin to see how they manage the situation going into the next rounds of the championship.
