On Saturday afternoon, May 31, 2025, Aston Martin announced that Canadian driver Lance Stroll will miss the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for the following day, due to persistent pain in his hand and wrist. The decision, made on medical advice, rules Stroll out of the race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he had qualified in 14th position. The team stated that the issue stems from a surgery performed in 2023 following a cycling accident. Under Formula 1 regulations, no replacement driver, such as reserve Felipe Drugovich from Brazil, can take Stroll’s place since the absence was confirmed after the qualifying session. Aston Martin is now focused on Stroll’s recovery, with the 26-year-old driver set to undergo a new surgical procedure to address the ongoing discomfort. The race, the final event of the season’s second triple-header, will feature just 19 drivers on the grid.
Aston Martin, based in Silverstone, England, explained that Stroll’s condition worsened over the past six weeks. The driver participated in Friday and Saturday activities, including free practice and qualifying, without incident. However, intense pain prompted medical professionals to advise against racing on Sunday.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a staple of Formula 1 since 1991, hosts the ninth round of the 2025 championship. Running from May 30 to June 1, the event marks the track’s farewell as the Spanish GP venue, with live coverage on Band TV, Bandsports, and real-time updates via the ge.globo portal.
Source of Lance Stroll’s pain
Lance Stroll’s troubles trace back to February 2023, when he suffered a cycling accident in Spain during pre-season training. The crash caused multiple injuries, including fractures to his right wrist, left wrist, left hand, and right big toe. Stroll underwent surgery on his right wrist just 48 hours later, aiming to be fit for the season-opening Bahrain GP.
He returned in time for the 2023 race, finishing sixth despite early challenges. During practice at the Sakhir Circuit, Stroll needed help exiting the car due to limited hand mobility. His teammate, Fernando Alonso, praised him as a “hero” for his grit. Now, in 2025, doctors link the current pain to that 2023 procedure. Aston Martin noted:
- The discomfort escalated over the past six weeks.
- Medical staff confirmed the need for another surgery.
- The priority is addressing the issue before racing resumes.
- No timeline for recovery has been set.
Stroll’s Formula 1 journey
Lance Stroll entered Formula 1 in 2017 with Williams, securing his first podium with a third-place finish at the Azerbaijan GP. The son of Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, owner of Aston Martin, he joined the team in 2019 when it was still Racing Point. Stroll has since notched three career podiums, with standout results in 2020 at the Italian and Sakhir GPs.
In the 2025 season, Stroll has earned 14 points for Aston Martin, outscoring teammate and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. The British team holds fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, delivering strong performances across various tracks this year.
Rules block grid replacement
Formula 1 regulations, overseen by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), state that a driver who competes in qualifying cannot be replaced for the race. With Stroll’s 14th-place grid slot at the Catalan track, his absence leaves the field at 19 drivers for Sunday’s event.
Aston Martin’s reserve drivers include Brazil’s Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion, and Belgium’s Stoffel Vandoorne, a former McLaren racer. Despite their credentials, the rules prevent either from stepping in. Drugovich, 25, has shone in tests and development work but remains without an official F1 race start.
Spanish GP preparations
The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix marks the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya’s final run as the event’s host, with the race moving to the Madrid Circuit in 2026. This year’s event caps the season’s second triple-header, following intense races in prior weeks.
The weekend schedule included:
- Free Practice 1: 8:30 AM (Brasília time) on Friday.
- Free Practice 2: 12:00 PM.
- Free Practice 3: 7:30 AM on Saturday.
- Qualifying: 11:00 AM, setting the grid.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri claimed pole position, leading a team one-two with Lando Norris. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen rounded out the top three, while Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber starts 12th. The race begins at 9:30 AM on Sunday, broadcast live on Band TV and Bandsports.
History of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Opened in 1991, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has hosted 34 Spanish GPs. Known for its mix of high- and low-speed corners and long straights, the track is a pre-season testing favorite due to its versatility.
Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton share the record for most wins here, with six each. Ferrari tops the teams with eight victories. In 2024, Max Verstappen beat Lando Norris to claim his third straight win at the circuit.
Aston Martin’s 2025 performance
Aston Martin has shown consistency in 2025, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll driving the team’s results. The 43-year-old Spaniard has eight podiums since joining in 2023, while Stroll accounts for 14 of the team’s points this season.
The AMR25 car debuted on February 23 during an F1 event in London. Tested first in Bahrain, the 798-kg machine hits 0-100 mph in 3.7 seconds, with aerodynamics chief Eric Blandin emphasizing drivability and stability.
Stroll’s recovery plan
Aston Martin confirmed Lance Stroll will undergo surgery to address his hand and wrist pain. The medical team will monitor his condition daily, aiming for a safe and effective recovery.
Stroll, with the team since 2021, signed a multi-year deal in 2024, securing his seat alongside Alonso through at least 2026. The driver expressed determination to overcome the setback and return to the cockpit soon.
Race schedule and coverage
The Spanish GP, a highlight of the F1 calendar, bids farewell to the Catalan track. The race, starting at 9:30 AM Sunday, will be broadcast:
- Live on TV: Band, with real-time narration and commentary.
- Cable: Bandsports, covering practice, qualifying, and the race.
- Online: ge.globo tracks every moment of the weekend.
Qualifying saw Oscar Piastri outpace Lando Norris by half a second for pole, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third. Max Verstappen starts third for Red Bull.
Details of the 2023 accident
Lance Stroll’s February 2023 cycling accident in Spain was dubbed an “unfortunate incident” by the driver. A tire puncture caused the fall, leading to fractures in both wrists, his left hand, and right big toe. Surgery on his right wrist, done 48 hours later, enabled a return for the Bahrain GP, though early limitations were clear.
During 2023 pre-season testing, reserve Felipe Drugovich filled in at the Sakhir Circuit. The Formula 2 champion impressed, but Stroll recovered to finish sixth in the season opener.
Felipe Drugovich’s role at Aston Martin
Felipe Drugovich, 25, from Maringá, Brazil, serves as one of Aston Martin’s reserve drivers alongside Stoffel Vandoorne. He won the 2022 Formula 2 title by 101 points over Theo Pourchaire.
Drugovich has excelled in testing and simulator work, aiding the team’s development. F1 rules bar him from racing in Spain due to Stroll’s qualifying participation, but he remains a key asset.
Farewell to the Catalan track
The 2025 Spanish GP ends the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya’s run as host since 1991. Its technical layout gives way to the Madrid Circuit in 2026, shifting F1’s presence in Spain.
The race has drawn focus, with Piastri’s pole and McLaren’s strong showing. Stroll’s absence leaves Aston Martin relying solely on Fernando Alonso for Sunday’s event.
Highlights of the 2025 season
The 2025 Formula 1 season, now in its ninth round, sees McLaren leading the Constructors’ Championship. Oscar Piastri, with four career poles, dominates qualifying, while Lando Norris and Max Verstappen vie for the drivers’ title.
Brazil’s Gabriel Bortoleto, a Sauber rookie, starts 12th in Spain after a solid weekend. The race promises competition, with McLaren aiming to extend its lead and Red Bull chasing a comeback.
Focus on Stroll’s recovery
Aston Martin reiterated support for Lance Stroll, prioritizing his recovery. The driver faces surgery to fix the pain, with the team tracking progress in the coming weeks.
Stroll, with 122 GPs in F1, has shown resilience, as seen in his 2023 return post-accident. Aston Martin awaits his comeback for upcoming races.
