Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll will sit out the Spanish Grand Prix due to a hand and wrist injury, following a heated outburst in the team’s garage after a disappointing qualifying session.
Sources indicate the Canadian driver lost his temper after being knocked out in Q2, trailing teammate Fernando Alonso by 0.535 seconds. The incident reportedly involved Stroll damaging garage equipment and swearing at team personnel.
When asked about the situation, an Aston Martin spokesperson downplayed the altercation, saying simply, “Lance was upset.” The team emphasized that the injury and the garage episode were unrelated.
According to the team, Stroll has been experiencing ongoing discomfort in his hand and wrist—pain believed to stem from a 2023 operation after he broke both wrists in a cycling accident. He is expected to undergo another procedure to address the issue.
The development casts doubt over his participation in the Canadian Grand Prix, set to take place from 13–15 June. If Stroll is unable to race, Aston Martin may face a dilemma, as both of their reserve drivers—Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne—are scheduled to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same weekend.
Further compounding the situation, Stroll was investigated by the FIA for failing to report to the driver weighing scales immediately after qualifying, as required by regulations. The stewards issued a formal warning.
In their report, stewards noted: “We reviewed video footage from the garage which showed the driver of Car 18 [Stroll] exiting the car and leaving the garage from the back and not proceeding through the pit lane as required.”
Stroll later explained in a letter that he was in significant pain and sought immediate medical attention. He eventually completed the weigh-in and media obligations before visiting the medical centre for evaluation.
This is not the first time Stroll has displayed frustration after a poor qualifying result. At the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix, he stormed out of the garage and was involved in a physical altercation with his trainer, later issuing an apology.
His absence in Spain adds pressure to Aston Martin as they navigate both a driver setback and the logistical challenge of finding a suitable replacement ahead of a crucial home race.
