Aston Martin Confirms Lance Stroll Will Race At Bahrain Grand Prix
Aston Martin have confirmed that Canadian driver Lance Stroll will race at the 2023 season opener Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.
Stroll has said in a press release:
"It was frustrating not to be out in Bahrain for the pre-season test and I was disappointed to miss the three days of running. However, given the injury to my wrist, the team and I felt it was best to focus on recovery so that I would be ready for this weekend and the long season ahead.
"It was an unfortunate accident – I fell from my bike when my tyre caught a hole in the ground - but thankfully the damage was not significant and a successful minor surgery on my right wrist fixed the problem very quickly. Since then, I've been working hard with my team to ensure that I am fully fit to compete this weekend.
"I would like to thank the F1 community for their support and privacy, as well as the team who have helped my recovery. Now I'm ready to get my head down and concentrate on racing this weekend – something I'm really looking forward to."
Uncertainty of Stroll’s participation in the first race weekend of the season rose when he was unable to take part in the pre-season testing last week due to an injury. Stroll took to social media ahead of the testing days to confirm he would not be there due to injuries he sustained from a biking accident. He wrote:
“Hey guys, I’ve had an accident whilst training on my bike in preparation for the season. I am determined to get back in the car and I am excited for the season ahead with the team. I am motivated to bounce back from this setback as quickly as possible.”
Felipe Drugovich, who is one of the reserve drivers for the British team, stepped in for Stroll at the pre-season testing and was confirmed to race at the Bahrain Grand Prix if Stroll hadn’t recovered in time. Drugovich was able to put in some good laps and had a good amount of time to get used to the AMR23.
One concern for Aston Martin is that Stroll has not had the same amount of time as the other drivers on the grid to become accustomed to their 2023 contender.
The first two practice sessions will be on Friday 3 March, with the third practice session and qualifying on Saturday 4 March followed by the race on Sunday 5 March.