Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll has withdrawn from Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix following persistent pain in his hand and wrist — discomfort stemming from a procedure he underwent after a cycling accident in early 2023.
The Canadian, who had qualified 14th, will undergo corrective surgery, with the team confirming that medical specialists advised him not to race. Stroll’s wrist has been a recurring concern since his crash prior to the 2023 season, which forced him to miss pre-season testing at the time. Despite that setback, he managed to return in time for the season opener — but it appears the long-term effects have lingered.
“Over the course of 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 a statement. “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.”
While the team has not yet named a replacement for the race, reserve driver Felipe Drugovich is expected to be on standby, should they choose to run both cars.
Adding to a turbulent weekend, Stroll was also under investigation after failing to follow the standard post-qualifying protocol. Instead of heading straight to the FIA scales after exiting Q2, he remained in his garage for several minutes and did not pass through the pit lane as required. Though likely unrelated to his withdrawal, the breach could still result in a penalty or reprimand, depending on the stewards’ ruling.
Stroll’s absence comes as a blow to Aston Martin, who continue to fight for consistency in the midfield amid fierce competition from Alpine and RB. With the Canadian sidelined and Fernando Alonso carrying the team’s hopes on home soil, the green squad faces an uphill battle in Barcelona.
