Lance Stroll withdrew from participating in the Spanish Grand Prix hours after qualifying. The team have put out a statement for the reason of the withdrawal. It explained that it has to do with Stroll’s hands and wrists requiring serious medical attention. That operation has to happen soon, as Formula 1 will be travelling to Canada in two weeks’ time.
With that tight window, we usually enter talks of a substitute driver. However, in this case, that’s not so easy. Aston Martin’s reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will drive at Le Mans during the Canada GP weekend and thus can’t replace Stroll. Or could he? Julianne Cerasoli of UOL Esporte provides insight into the options for replacing Stroll in Canada.
Drugovich to give up Le Mans drive for Formula 1 Grand Prix debut
Felipe Drugovich is the reserve driver of Aston Martin, who has already had the pleasure of driving the car earlier this year in FP1 at Bahrain. He couldn’t replace Stroll for the Spanish Grand Prix race because of the regulations for post-qualifying substitutions of drivers. The team confirmed that the injury was sustained from his bicycle crash back in 2023. Although the injury was treated at the time, Stroll has been suffering from pain in his wrists for the past 6 weeks. The pain became chronic after qualifying, and the team decided to withdraw him from the Spanish Grand Prix.
Sobre Drugovich – Stroll – Aston, estou apurando certinho o que ouvi antes de publicar.
Mas o que posso dizer no momento é que, se houver a chance de fazer o GP do Canadá, ele não faz Le Mans.
E a informação é de que Lance opera amanhã.#F1 #Drugovich
— Julianne Cerasoli (@jucerasoli) June 1, 2025
It is currently unknown when Lance Stroll will be able to get back in the car to race. With Drugovich being otherwise occupied during the same weekend, we could be looking at other drivers to replace the Canadian at his home race. But according to Brazilian journalist Julianne Cerasoli, Drugovich might opt out of driving the 24 Hours of Le Mans if he gets the opportunity to race in F1.
Drugovich was asked about the choice ahead. “I have faith that God has planned something for me” in helping him choose the next steps in his career.
