Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll will miss the Formula 1 pre-season test in Bahrain this week after suffering injuries in a cycling accident.
The 24-year-old Canadian was training on a bicycle in Spain when he was involved in a minor accident and sustained injuries that will make him unfit to compete when engines fire at the Bahrain International Circuit on Thursday through Saturday.
Aston Martin stated Stroll is expected to make a quick recovery and will be assessed regularly ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.
“His [Stroll’s] fitness to return to the cockpit will be assessed daily and the team will issue an update ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix,” read a statement on the Aston Martin website.
“The team wishes Lance a speedy recovery and looks forward to his usual energy and commitment within the team.” soonest.
“I’ve had an unfortunate accident whilst training on my bike in preparation for the season,” he said.
“I am determined to get back in the car and I am excited about the season ahead with the team. I am motivated to bounce back from this setback as quickly as possible.”
— Lance Stroll (@lance_stroll) February 20, 2023
Aston Martin have not confirmed if there will be a replacement for Stroll for the pre-season test or if new teammate Fernando Alonso will single-handedly drive on all three days of the test. The two-time world champion suffered a broken jaw in a cycling accident ahead of the 2021 F1 season but recovered in time for pre-season testing a month later.
Stoffel Vandoorne and Felipe Drugovich are Aston Martin’s official reserve drivers, but the former is due for Formula E commitments at the Cape Town E-Prix this weekend.
