Lance Stroll sidelined from Spanish GP due to wrist pain

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Lance Stroll has been forced to withdraw from Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya after suffering persistent pain in his right hand and wrist, Aston Martin has confirmed.

Stroll, who qualified 14th on Saturday, is set to undergo a procedure following medical advice from a specialist.

The Canadian’s absence will reduce Sunday’s grid to 19 cars and leave Aston Martin with only Fernando Alonso representing the team in the Spaniard’s home event.

Injury Traced Back to 2023 Cycling Accident

According to Aston Martin, Stroll’s discomfort is related to an injury sustained in a cycling accident in early 2023, which forced him to miss pre-season testing in Bahrain. The Canadian suffered fractures to both wrists and a broken toe at the time, requiring surgery and the insertion of screws in his right wrist.

Despite the severity of the injury, Stroll returned just a week later to race in the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he finished an impressive sixth, earning widespread praise for his resilience.

However, the long-term effects of the injury appear to have resurfaced in recent weeks.

“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,” Aston Martin stated.

“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.”

Return for Canadian Grand Prix in Doubt

For now, it remains uncertain whether Stroll will recover in time to compete in the next round of the Formula 1 World Championship – his home Grand Prix in Montreal on June 15th.

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A return to full fitness will be the priority for the 25-year-old, who has had a challenging 2024 season so far, often trailing teammate Fernando Alonso in both qualifying and race results.

Sunday’s withdrawal also comes at a difficult time for Aston Martin, which has struggled for performance in recent rounds.

The team and fans alike will now be hoping for a smooth and speedy recovery, particularly with Stroll’s national race on the horizon.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.