With pre-season testing in Bahrain set to begin this week, teams will be looking to avoid any setbacks, be this with the drivers, the cars or the staff.
Aston Martin have been very unlucky in this regard, as Lance Stroll has been forced to withdraw from pre-season testing.
The Canadian was reportedly spotted leaving a hospital in Spain recently with his arm in a cast, sparking rumours that Stroll has picked up some sort of break or fracture.
Aston Martin have stopped short of detailing Stroll’s injury, simply confirming that their driver has withdrawn from pre-season testing in Bahrain but they hope that he will be fit in time for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
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Stroll has posted a statement to his social media accounts to explain that he has had a cycling accident while training for the upcoming season.
“Hey guys, I’ve had an unfortunate accident whilst training on my bike in preparation for the season,” he wrote.
“I am determined to get back in the car and I am excited about the season ahead with the team. I am motivated to bounce back from this setback as quickly as possible.”
It was initially rumoured that Fernando Alonso would pick up Stroll’s testing time in the AMR23, due to the fact that former F1 driver and Aston Martin test driver Stoffel Vandoorne is currently in Cape Town for the upcoming Formula E race.
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Reigning Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich has been announced as Stroll’s replacement however, with Aston Martin putting their faith in their other reserve driver to take part in pre-season testing.
A second driver taking part in testing may be a hint that Aston Martin are not entirely confident of Stroll making a full recovery in time for the Bahrain Grand Prix, making sure a second driver has had some time in the AMR23 in case they need to substitute in for the 24-year-old.
Aston Martin have expressed their confidence in having Stroll back in time for the season opener and they will certainly hope that this is the case, having lost Sebastian Vettel to illness during the opening two rounds of last season.