Aston Martin in Crisis: Who Will Replace Lance Stroll for F1 Canadian GP?
Aston Martin Formula 1 team is facing a major crisis as Canadian driver Lance Stroll had to sit out the Spanish Grand Prix due to a resurfaced injury from a bike accident in 2023. This turn of events has left Aston Martin scrambling to find a replacement for Stroll ahead of the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.
Stroll initially injured his wrists in 2023 while cycling, causing him to miss testing for the season. Despite undergoing a medical procedure, the injury has returned, forcing him to withdraw from the Spanish Grand Prix just hours after qualifying in 14th place. Aston Martin confirmed that Stroll will undergo another procedure and focus on his recovery, but no updates on his condition have been provided.
With the Canadian Grand Prix just around the corner, speculation is rife about Stroll’s ability to compete. If Stroll is unable to race, Aston Martin has two reserve drivers on standby: Stoffel Vandoorne and Felipe Drugovich. However, Vandoorne is tied up with Peugeot’s Le Mans WEC round, while Drugovich races for Cadillac but has expressed his desire to prioritize Formula 1.
Should Vandoorne and Drugovich be unavailable, F2 racer Jak Crawford is the next potential option for Aston Martin. However, he may not have the necessary FIA superlicence to compete in F1. This leaves the team with limited in-house options, prompting them to consider reserve drivers from other teams, particularly those with Mercedes engines like McLaren, Williams, and Mercedes itself.
Valtteri Bottas emerges as a strong candidate, boasting extensive F1 experience with 246 race starts, 10 wins, and 67 podium finishes. Bottas, who expressed his interest in returning to F1, could seize this opportunity with Aston Martin to secure a seat on the grid for the 2026 season.
As the countdown to the Canadian Grand Prix continues, all eyes are on Aston Martin as they navigate this unexpected hurdle in their quest for success on the F1 circuit.