Lance Stroll has withdrawn from the Spanish Grand Prix, an announcement made after Saturday's qualifying session, reducing the starting grid to 19 drivers. The Aston Martin driver, who had secured 14th position on the grid for the race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, was forced to pull out due to persistent pain in his hand and wrist.

In a team statement, Aston Martin confirmed the withdrawal, explaining that Stroll has been experiencing this pain over the past six weeks. His medical consultant attributes the discomfort to a procedure he underwent in 2023. Consequently, Stroll will undergo a new medical procedure to rectify these issues and will subsequently focus on his recovery, thereby missing the Grand Prix.

The current hand and wrist problems are believed to be related to a significant cycling accident Stroll was involved in during February 2023. In that incident, he suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to both wrists, a knee, and his big toe.

Stroll's absence from the Spanish Grand Prix means that Aston Martin will field only one car, to be driven by Fernando Alonso. The team's reserve driver, Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion who is present at the circuit, is unable to step in as a replacement for Stroll.

This situation arises due to specific Formula 1 regulations governing driver substitutions. These rules mandate that a driver must have participated in at least one prior session of the race weekend – either Practice or Qualifying – to be eligible to compete in the Grand Prix. As Drugovich did not participate in any of these sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix, he is ineligible to replace Stroll for this event.

Looking ahead, should Stroll not be fit to compete in the Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled in two weeks, it is anticipated that Felipe Drugovich would likely be given the opportunity to take his place in the Aston Martin.

Lance Stroll has previously detailed his arduous journey to recovery following the February 2023 cycling accident. He recounted: “On Saturday, February 18th I crashed on my bike while training in Spain. The scans showed I had a fracture and displacement in my right wrist, a fracture in my left wrist, a partial fracture in my left hand and finally another fracture in the big toe on my right foot.” He noted the timing was terrible, with the season start imminent. “My medical team, at first, believed I was not only going to miss testing, but realistically the first few races.”

He further explained the rapid medical intervention: “48 hours after my accident/12 days before the first race Dr. Javier Mir successfully operated on my right wrist. Following surgery, Dr. Mir told me I’d be back for Jeddah if I worked hard and with a bit of luck he was optimistic I could race in Bahrain - but that was a faint possibility. To this day I am convinced the urgency Dr. Mir showed to me helped get me to Bahrain.” Stroll also mentioned that other injuries weren't suitable for fixation and required a conservative healing approach. “My medical team ensured we were doing anything and everything that showed some evidence for bone healing. It became my full-time job, trying to combine everything that could help, even if it was by 0.5 per cent.” He described the initial slow progress and reliance on help for daily tasks, but noted improvement each day, especially after his cast was removed, making the Bahrain race a possibility. “My medical team devised a programme that would help me restore mobility and strength in my wrists. Rehab required hard work and persistence - but with an incredible medical team and my friends and family supporting me - I was able to push through the pain and get back on track in Bahrain with my team and fellow drivers.”