SAKHIR, Bahrain — Lance Stroll will race his Aston Martin car at the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend, after missing winter testing with a wrist injury.
Development rider Felipe Drugovich replaced the Quebecer alongside Spaniard Fernando Alonso in practice after Stroll suffered an injury while training on his bike in Spain. Aston Martin confirmed its return to the track on Thursday.
“It was frustrating not to be in Bahrain for winter testing and I was disappointed to miss the three track days,” Stroll said in a statement. However, because of my wrist injury, the team and I thought it best to focus on recovery so that I was ready for this weekend and the long season that is about to begin. »
In Stroll’s absence, Alonso and Drugovich have set some of the best times in winter testing, suggesting Aston Martin could find themselves leading the midfield teams, and perhaps even threatening Mercedes and Ferrari.
“It was an unfortunate accident. I fell off my bike when my tire hit a pothole, Stroll explained. Luckily for me the injury was superficial and minor surgery on the right wrist solved the problem very quickly.
“Since then, I’ve been working hard with my team to make sure I’m in good shape to drive this weekend,” he continued.
Doctors gave Stroll the all clear, although he admitted he still feels some “discomfort”. He is nevertheless confident that he will be able to fulfill his mandate successfully.
“If I felt like it was dangerous, if I felt like I might make my injury worse, or if I felt like my bones weren’t bonded together enough, then I would have given up my steering wheel, mentioned the Mont-Tremblant driver. The Formula 1 season is long; there are 23 races. Bahrain is just one step, but I’m optimistic, and the doctors are optimistic. »
His work in a simulator also reassured him.
“I did the simulator yesterday (Wednesday), the day before, and I feel up to it, he assured. We increased the resistance of the steering wheel and I reacted well during braking and on the curbs in the turns. »
Stroll will team up with a new 41-year-old team-mate, Alonso, who left Alpine after the last campaign. The two-time F1 world champion hailed Stroll’s determination to take part in the first race of the campaign.
“It shows his will to win, and his motivation, mentioned the Spaniard. He’s here, he’s up for the challenge no matter what positions we’ll be fighting for this weekend, which is an encouraging sign. »
Drugovich, the reigning Formula 2 champion, and another development driver, ex-McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne, will nevertheless be on site in Bahrain over the weekend.
Stroll, the son of businessman and Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll, will enter his seventh season in F1 and has scored three career F1 podiums.
Free practice will take place on Friday in Bahrain, followed by a qualifying session on Saturday and the race on Sunday.