Lance Stroll did not take part in the Barcelona GP for physical reasons, although the real reason for his absence may be different.
Saturday in Barcelona ended with the news of Lance Stroll’s withdrawal from the GP later won by Oscar Piastri. The announcement surprised many, as Aston Martin stated that his absence was due to pain related to the injury he sustained at the beginning of 2023.
Two years ago, the Canadian driver missed pre-season testing after being involved in a cycling accident, which caused multiple hand fractures. Car number 18 returned for the Sakhir race despite being visibly in pain.
Since then, Lance Stroll had never again reported issues linked to that injury, which is why the team’s explanation in Catalonia left many confused.
The real reason may be different
According to Andrew Benson, BBC correspondent, the actual reason for Lance Stroll’s absence in Barcelona may be something else. The Canadian driver reportedly decided not to race after becoming furious with his team following his qualifying result. Car number 18 was eliminated in Q2, trailing his teammate by over half a second. It seems Stroll harshly criticised the team inside his garage, allegedly damaging some parts of the pit box in the process.
Moreover, an Aston Martin spokesperson reportedly confirmed that the Canadian was agitated and that his 2023 injury had nothing to do with his absence. Andrew Benson also indicated that Stroll’s participation in the Canadian Grand Prix is far from certain, with Felipe Drugovich potentially stepping in as a replacement.
Leave a Reply