Lance Stroll should recover in time for Montreal
Lance Stroll is not expected to have any problems taking part in the next race on the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, scheduled on his home circuit in Montreal. After missing the race in Barcelona due to a wrist issue related to the injury he sustained in a cycling accident before the start of the 2023 season, the Aston Martin youngster is undergoing all the necessary medical treatments to recover as quickly as possible. This was reported by the British outlet The Race, which explained that the British team intends to allow its two reserve drivers, Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne, to go to Le Mans to race in the 24 Hours next weekend.
Le Mans commitment for Drugovich and Vandoorne
Brazilian Drugovich is considered the first choice to replace one of Aston Martin’s regular drivers in case of unavailability, as already happened during testing in Bahrain in 2023 shortly after the cycling accident that sidelined Stroll. The 2022 F2 champion is almost always present in the garage, works in the simulator, drives in FP1 rookie sessions, and is undoubtedly the most ready to step in on track, even though he has never raced in Formula 1 and hasn’t competed in single-seaters since Abu Dhabi 2022. This year, however, the 25-year-old has the chance to race in Le Mans in the Hypercar class with the Cadillac team and had already posted a photo on his social media heading to the circuit for the first 24-hour race activities.
Although slightly behind Drugovich in the team’s hierarchy, Vandoorne — who has the advantage of having completed two full seasons in Formula 1, albeit back in 2017–2018 — would also be unavailable for next weekend. The 33-year-old Belgian is also committed to Le Mans, where he will drive the Peugeot Hypercar. However, Stroll will undergo further medical checks next week in an attempt not to miss his home GP. While it is clear that Aston Martin could ask one of the two reserve drivers to make themselves available for the Montreal weekend, it is equally clear that the team could not guarantee them participation. Ultimately, going to Canada would mean giving up the most important non-F1 race of the year.
Why Valtteri Bottas is the “reliable backup”
For this reason, according to The Race, Aston Martin is considering a “reliable backup” option. On standby in case Lance Stroll misses the Canadian GP is Valtteri Bottas: the 35-year-old Finn has been following the Mercedes team from inside the garage every race weekend this season, having no other racing commitments outside Formula 1, and will be present in the Montreal paddock regardless of Stroll’s condition.
With 246 F1 starts, Valtteri Bottas is an extremely experienced driver who could provide real support to the team without the risk of merely making up the numbers. Moreover, Mercedes has an agreement with all teams powered by its Brackley-built power units to make their third driver available in case of need. The only obstacle — which would be easily resolved if Lance Stroll is ruled out — is the five-place grid penalty that the FIA handed to Valtteri Bottas for a collision with Kevin Magnussen at last season’s Abu Dhabi GP. That penalty would apply at the next race Bottas competes in.
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