Lance Stroll Withdraws from Spanish Grand Prix Due to... read more

Lance Stroll Withdraws from Spanish Grand Prix Due to Injury

Aston Martin have announced that Lance Stroll will not compete in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya due to ongoing medical issues.

The Canadian driver, who qualified 14th, has been dealing with recurring pain in his hand and wrist for several weeks. According to the team, the discomfort is believed to be linked to the surgery he had following a cycling accident in early 2023, in which he fractured both wrists.

“Over the past six weeks, Lance has been experiencing pain in his hand and wrist, which his medical consultant believes is related to the procedure he underwent in 2023,” Aston Martin said in an official statement. “As a result, his medical team has confirmed that he will not race tomorrow. He will undergo a procedure to address the issue and focus on his recovery.”

Since Stroll’s withdrawal came after qualifying, Aston Martin is not permitted to substitute another driver. This means only 19 cars will line up on the grid for Sunday’s race.

Stroll’s discomfort became evident at the end of Q2 on Saturday, when he remained in the team garage for several minutes—delaying his mandatory FIA weigh-in. Although summoned by the stewards, the matter was postponed due to the emerging medical concerns.

While Fernando Alonso made it into the top 10, Stroll’s early exit highlights a difficult weekend for the team. His status for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix on June 15 remains uncertain. If he is not cleared to race, Aston Martin is expected to call on reserve driver Felipe Drugovich to fill in.