Lance Stroll will miss preseason due to injury

Lance Stroll won't be participating in this week's preseason test in Bahrain because, according to Aston Martin, he was injured in a bicycle accident during a training session.

Lance Stroll (image credits: twitter).
By Mahaksh Chauhan | Feb 21, 2023 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Prior to this week’s test, which starts on Thursday, Stroll was practising on his bicycle when he experienced a “small mishap,” according to the organisation. With the last chance teams and drivers have to test their new cars before the start of the championship, missing testing threatens to seriously jeopardise Stroll’s preparation for the 2023 season. Six days following the end of testing, practise for the season-opening race will start at the same circuit. Stroll acknowledged, “I had an unfortunate mishap while working out on my bike in preparation for the season. “I’m determined to get back behind the wheel, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season with the team. I’m driven to recover as rapidly as I can from this setback.

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Reserve Drivers

Neither the replacement of Stroll for the three-day test nor Fernando Alonso‘s participation for all three days have been confirmed by Aston Martin. On Tuesday, the group is anticipated to provide a plan update. In case Lance Stroll needs to be replaced for the first race, Aston Martin has reserve drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and young driver Felipe Drugovich on hand. Drugovich won the Formula 2 championship last year. The sole member of the two with past F1 racing experience, Vandoorne, will take part in this weekend’s Formula E event in South Africa.

Lance will recover soon

Stroll’s fitness would be monitored on a regular basis, according to a statement from Aston Martin, although the team anticipated a speedy recovery from his wounds. The group stated that Lance “expects a rapid recovery and return to driving duties.” Prior to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the team will provide an update on how fit he is to get back in the driver’s seat. The team hopes for a quick recovery for Lance and anticipates his customary enthusiasm and dedication to the group.

Stoffel Vandoorne

Stoffel Vandoorne, a former McLaren driver, has been announced as an extra reserve driver for the 2018 season and might once again compete for his previous squad. Felipe Drugovich, a Formula 2 champion, is another reserve driver from Aston Martin who is available for McLaren to use if necessary. When it comes to the first 15 races of 2023, Aston Martin has promised to make the duo accessible to its fellow Mercedes customer team in case McLaren needs a backup driver. Alex Palou was the first of McLaren’s backup drivers for the upcoming season, according to a previous announcement. He does, however, have conflicting obligations in IndyCar for the most of the first 15 races of the season.

Four drivers are available for use as backups for the team. Earlier this month, Mercedes announced that Mick Schumacher, a former Haas racer, will be available as a backup driver. In the 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix, Vandoorne made his F1 debut for McLaren as a stand-in. Between 2017 and 2018, he was a regular driver for the team. He currently competes in Formula E and currently holds the title of world champion. The F1 races in Miami, Spain, and Belgium will conflict with his participation in that championship.