Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has revealed what caused him to miss pre-season testing last week, with the Canadian having had a “minor accident” whilst cycling in Spain.
Ahead of this weekend’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, there was huge doubt if Stroll would be fit in time, given that he underwent surgery in Barcelona after breaking his wrist.
Stroll broke one wrist and sprained the other following his accident, which ruled him out of pre-season testing.
“I hit a hole and fell. Luckily it wasn’t worse,” Stroll revealed.
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Due to him having not been ready in time for pre-season testing, the Canadian was replaced by reserve driver and reigning Formula 2 World Champion Felipe Drugovich, who will replace Stroll this weekend should the driver decide not to continue at any point during the Bahrain GP.
After having pins inserted into the broken wrist, Stroll has recovered incredibly quickly, with only a small plaster having been seen on his wrist in Bahrain.
He was given the all clear by the FIA to compete this weekend after passing their medical checks, with Stroll set to simply put some strapping on both of his wrists.
“That will be enough,” he said.
“If I felt it was not smart, that the bones are not ready, I wouldn’t do it. I feel confident, the doctors are confident, so here I am.”
Prior to flying to Bahrain, Stroll completed a full race run in the simulator on Wednesday, with his performance having reportedly been very impressive.
Stroll noticed himself during his time in the simulator that he’s got a very strong car this season, with the Canadian having noted “what a step forward” the AMR23 is compared to the AMR22.
“In the simulator, I noticed what a step forward the new car is,” said Stroll.
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One person who was incredibly pleased to see Stroll back in the paddock was his new team-mate Fernando Alonso, who revealed that he’d been “in contact” with the Canadian since “day one”.
“We’ve been in contact from day one,” Alonso said.
“Lance was updated on everything during the test and was giving us feedback. He was in the simulator the last few days as well.”