Lance Stroll was many people’s Driver of the Day at last weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, with the Canadian having defied the odds and competed, despite having broken his wrist and toe.
Stroll was a huge doubt for last weekend’s Grand Prix, with the Aston Martin driver having crashed whilst cycling in Spain, resulting him breaking one wrist and spraining the other.
He was unable to complete pre-season testing as a result, with some having suggested that he wouldn’t be fit in time to compete in the season opener.
Despite significant discomfort, Stroll successfully took part in the entire weekend and finished in a sensational sixth place, to kickstart his season in superb fashion.
READ: Revealed: Charles Leclerc set to receive 5-place grid drop
It wasn’t until after the race that the Canadian revealed just how damaged he was following his crash, with the driver having admitted “I couldn’t walk”.
“I couldn’t move my hands, I couldn’t walk, I broke my toe,” Stroll told Sky Sports F1.
Stroll actually posted a video onto social media on Tuesday detailing his rapid recovery, with the driver having said the following as well: “The scans showed I had a fracture and displacement in my right wrist, a fracture in my left wrist, a partial fracture in my left hand and finally another fracture in the big toe on my right foot.”
“With the beginning of the season right around the corner the timing could not have been worse. My medical team, at first, believed I was not only going to miss testing, but realistically the first few races.
“Following surgery, Dr. (Javier) Mir told me I’d be back for Jeddah if I worked hard and with a bit of luck he was optimistic I could race in Bahrain – but that was a faint possibility. To this day I am convinced the urgency Dr. Mir showed to me helped get me to Bahrain.
“The work wasn’t done. Unfortunately, Dr. Mir explained that the fractures in my left hand/wrist and toe weren’t suitable for fixation, and that I’d need to rely on a more conservative approach to heal my other injuries.
“My medical team ensured we were doing anything and everything that showed some evidence for bone healing. It became my full time job, trying to combine everything that could help, even if it was by 0.5%.
“Initially progress was slow – I needed a lot of help even with daily tasks at home.
READ: Jolyon Palmer suggests it’s time for Lando Norris to ditch McLaren
“But each day got better and once the cast came off on day 4 it became possible we had a chance of racing in Bahrain. My medical team devised a programme that would help me restore mobility and strength in my wrists.
“Rehab required hard work and persistence – but with an incredible medical team and my friends and family supporting me – I was able to push through the pain and get back on track in Bahrain with my team and fellow drivers.
“And we did it!!!”