Lance Stroll received medical treatment in Barcelona after ongoing pain, with surgery performed by renowned specialist Dr Xavier Mir.
Aston Martin F1 confirmed that their driver remained in the country to consult again with the doctor who had previously treated his wrists and hands during the winter of 2023.
Stroll had been increasingly complaining of pain in recent weeks before being forced to sit out the last race weekend.
The team confirmed this evening that a procedure was performed yesterday at the Quirón Dexeus Hospital in Barcelona. The operation was carried out by Dr Xavier Mir.
Mir has previously treated several MotoGP riders, as well as Daniel Ricciardo, who suffered a wrist fracture in Zandvoort.
For now, it remains unclear whether Stroll will be fit to race at his home Grand Prix in Canada.
Aston Martin’s Backup Plan
If Lance Stroll is unable to race, Aston Martin has several options. The main one is Felipe Drugovich, a reserve driver already active in testing and on the simulator.
Drugovich replaced Stroll during the 2023 pre-season sessions. He knows the team well, is familiar with the 2025 car, and is a regular presence in the F1 paddock.
Stoffel Vandoorne is the other official reserve driver. A former McLaren racer, he brings both Formula 1 experience and top-level endurance racing credentials.
Aston Martin also has access to Valtteri Bottas, currently contracted with Mercedes, but available as an emergency substitute if needed.
The issue is that the Canadian Grand Prix clashes with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drugovich and Vandoorne are both scheduled to race that weekend in different teams.
Drugovich will drive for Cadillac, while Vandoorne is entered with Peugeot. Both are committed to the top class, complicating any late F1 call-up.
Team principal Mike Krack remains cautious. He confirms Stroll is plan A and says that’s where the team’s focus lies right now.
If that fails, plan B is in place. Aston Martin has the right to prioritize its F1 obligations over Le Mans, even if it means pulling a driver.
Krack acknowledges this calendar conflict was known in advance. The team could withdraw Drugovich or Vandoorne from Le Mans if necessary.
A decision must come soon. The official Le Mans test day takes place this weekend, and drivers need clarity before then.
Krack offers no timeline. “We wait to see what the next days are bringing and then we take a decision,” he says.
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