Aston Martin have confirmed that Lance Stroll will not take part in today’s Spanish Grand Prix, just hours before the race is due to begin. The Canadian driver has been battling a hand and wrist injury over the past six weeks and is set to undergo surgery to address the issue.
Stroll had managed to take part in qualifying on Saturday, finishing 14th after outpacing six other drivers. His performance had raised hopes for a positive result for the team, especially with team-mate Fernando Alonso starting in 10th and in a strong position to score his first points of the season.
However, Aston Martin are unable to name a replacement driver, as any stand-in must have taken part in either qualifying or practice sessions to be eligible for the race. The team’s reserve driver, Felipe Drugovich, will not be able to step in under current regulations.
A statement issued by the team read: “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.”
The announcement comes after Stroll was placed under investigation by the FIA following qualifying. The Canadian was summoned to the Spanish Grand Prix stewards after allegedly breaching Article 35.1 of the FIA Formula One Sporting Regulations, as well as failing to comply with the Race Director’s Event Notes.
According to FIA Formula 1 Technical Delegate Jo Bauer: “After the second Qualifying session, the driver Lance Stroll, car number 18, did not follow the post Qualifying drivers weighing procedure as laid out in the Race Director’s Event Notes, item 13.”
Stroll reportedly remained in the Aston Martin garage after qualifying before eventually proceeding to the FIA’s designated weighing area in the pit lane.
With no eligible replacement, Aston Martin will field just one car in today’s race, with hopes now firmly resting on Alonso to deliver for the team in front of his home crowd.