The Spanish Grand Prix will start with just 19 drivers today after Lance Stroll pulled out due to pain in his hand and wrist.
Stroll took part in qualifying for the race on Saturday afternoon and secured a spot in 14th on the starting grid.
Stroll won’t compete in Spain this afternoonGettyHowever, after the session, it was announced that he wouldn’t be able to take part in the Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Aston Martin confirmed the cause in a team statement: “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.
“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 issues stem from a bike accident in 2023 when he fractured both wrists, a knee and a big toe.
It means that Aston Martin are only going to have one car racing in the Spanish Grand Prix this afternoon…
Why do Aston Martin only have one car in Spanish Grand Prix?
Formula 1 rules have prevented Stroll from being replaced for today’s race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Aston Martin have a third driver on location in Felipe Drugovich.
But F1 regulations stipulate that drivers have to complete another session prior to the race.
And therefore, because Drugovich hasn’t driven in Practice or Qualifying, he can’t step in for Stroll.
So, as the Brazilian won’t be able to substitute in, it leaves Aston with just Fernando Alonso and the Grand Prix with just 19 drivers.
Stroll qualified in 14th at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before pulling outGetty But reserve driver Felipe Drugovich can’t sub in due to a little-known ruleGettyIf Stroll isn’t fit enough to race in Canada in two weeks time, then Drugovich, who was the 2022 Formula 2 champion, would likely take his place for that event.
The Canadian suffered the hand and wrist injuries that have ruled him out this afternoon during a pedal bike crash in February 2023.
He has previously opened up about his miraculous recovery.
Stroll said: “On Saturday, February 18th I crashed on my bike while training in Spain. The scans showed I had a fracture and displacement in my right wrist, a fracture in my left wrist, a partial fracture in my left hand and finally another fracture in the big toe on my right foot.
“With the beginning of the season right around the corner the timing could not have been worse.
“My medical team, at first, believed I was not only going to miss testing, but realistically the first few races.
Stroll managed to race just two weeks after being in a hospital bed@lance_stroll“48 hours after my accident/12 days before the first race Dr. Javier Mir successfully operated on my right wrist.
“Following surgery, Dr. Mir told me I’d be back for Jeddah if I worked hard and with a bit of luck he was optimistic I could race in Bahrain – but that was a faint possibility.
“To this day I am convinced the urgency Dr. Mir showed to me helped get me to Bahrain.
“The work wasn’t done. Unfortunately, Dr. Mir explained that the fractures in my left hand/wrist and toe weren’t suitable for fixation, and that I’d need to rely on a more conservative approach to heal my other injuries.
“My medical team ensured we were doing anything and everything that showed some evidence for bone healing. It became my full-time job, trying to combine everything that could help, even if it was by 0.5 per cent.
“Initially progress was slow – I needed a lot of help even with daily tasks at home.
“But each day got better and once the cast came off on day 4 it became possible we had a chance of racing in Bahrain. My medical team devised a programme that would help me restore mobility and strength in my wrists.
“Rehab required hard work and persistence – but with an incredible medical team and my friends and family supporting me – I was able to push through the pain and get back on track in Bahrain with my team and fellow drivers.”
Championship leader Oscar Piastri will lead us off the line today after a stellar qualifying lap put him ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
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