Lance Stroll will drive 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.
Drugovich, the reigning Formula 2 champion, and another development driver, ex-McLaren team driver Stoffel Vandoorne, will 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.