Aston Martin clarify Lance Stroll participation at F1 Canadian GP amid injury fear

Aston Martin have confirmed Lance Stroll will return to action for this weekend’s F1 Canadian Grand Prix.

Stroll was forced to miss race day at the Spanish Grand Prix after Aston Martin revealed that his wrist injury had worsened, meaning he couldn’t participate in the race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Aston Martin said that Stroll was “experiencing pain in his hand and wrist”, with his injuries linked to his 2023 pre-season cycling accident.

However, Stroll will be back behind the wheel of the AMR25 this weekend at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

In a statement released by Aston Martin, they said: “We are pleased to confirm that Lance Stroll will be back with the team competing in Montreal this weekend. He had a successful medical procedure to resolve the symptoms he has been experiencing and completed some laps in an old F1 car at Paul Ricard earlier this week. Lance is feeling fit and healthy, and is excited to compete in front of his home crowd.”

Stroll added: “I am excited to get back behind the wheel with the team for my home Grand Prix this weekend. I was always going to fight hard to be ready to race in front of the Montreal crowd. I’m feeling good after my procedure and put some laps in at Paul Ricard this week to prepare. Thanks for all the support, see you guys this weekend!”

Stroll’s absence in Barcelona was clouded in some mystery.

On race day, the BBC reported that he had damaged equipment in the Aston Martin garage in Barcelona and swore at some of his Aston Martin colleagues following a disappointing session.

This claim was dismissed by an Aston Martin mechanic on social media.

Harry Rush, one of Stroll’s mechanics, responded to the story on Instagram.

Rush wrote: “Swore at team members? Absolutely not true.”

The story took another twist when Sky F1 commentator David Croft suggested Stroll threw one of his helmets in the Aston Martin garage.

Croft said on the Sky F1 podcast: “I understand that a helmet was thrown, to the extent that the helmet might have been damaged, such was the force that it hit the wall. There was a lot of shouting and swearing going on as well.

“Lance has got form for punching walls before, albeit partition walls that wouldn’t necessarily hurt him. I’ve heard that before in his time at Aston Martin.”

Stroll’s return means reserve driver Felipe Drugovich can compete in this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Should Stroll’s injury worsen during the Canada weekend, Aston Martin will have Valtteri Bottas available.

Bottas is available to all Mercedes-powered teams as a potential reserve driver option.