Lance Stroll will return to the cockpit of the AMR23 at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, after he suffered a pre-season bike accident which saw him miss pre-season testing. The Canadian confirmed he undergone a “successful” right wrist surgery.
Photo Credits: Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team
On the eve of the first race weekend of the season starting in Bahrain, Aston Martin have confirmed that Lance Stroll will return from a hand injury that he suffered while training in his bike in Spain.
In a statement from the team, Stroll explained in detail how his accident happened and how a “successful” minor surgery on his right wrist has helped him be back on track already in Sakhir, in time for the opening round of the 2023 Formula 1 season:
“It was frustrating not to be out in Bahrain for the pre-season test and I was disappointed to miss the three days of running. However, given the injury to my wrist, the team and I felt it was best to focus on recovery so that I would be ready for this weekend and the long season ahead.
“It was an unfortunate accident – I fell from my bike when my tyre caught a hole in the ground – but thankfully the damage was not significant and a successful minor surgery on my right wrist fixed the problem very quickly. Since then, I’ve been working hard with my team to ensure that I am fully fit to compete this weekend.
“I would like to thank the F1 community for their support and privacy, as well as the team who have helped my recovery. Now I’m ready to get my head down and concentrate on racing this weekend – something I’m really looking forward to.”
The team will still have Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne on-site as reserve drivers in case they are needed. Drugovich was confirmed earlier this week as the replacement for Stroll in case the Canadian wasn’t fit in time for the race.