The Canadian had to miss the preseason F1 testing after falling off his cycle, but he made up for it by finishing sixth in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
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Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll has disclosed all the specifics of the wounds he sustained in a February cycling accident. The Canadian had to miss the preseason F1 testing after falling off his cycle, but he made up for it by finishing sixth in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix at the weekend. “I want to take a moment today to reflect on the last couple weeks, and share my story with you guys,” the 24-year-old wrote on Twitter and Instagram. “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. 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,” he added.
“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. And we did it!!! I am thankful for everyone who supported me, sent kind notes and wishes!”
Ahead of the 2023 Formula One season, fans expected Aston Martin to improve from their horrendous performance in 2022, but few might have predicted them to improve as much as they have. Throughout testing and practice sessions ahead of the Bahrain GP, the Silverstone based constructor had the fastest times on track with their new signing Fernando Alonso. The team finished 2022 in seventh place with 55 points, level with Alfa Romeo. Their two drivers at the time, Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll, finished 12th and 15th respectively. The team was left without a driver for 2023 after Vettel announced his retirement midway through the previous season, but they managed to rope in two-time world champion and one of the greatest drivers in the sport, Fernando Alonso.
