Lance Stroll pulls out of Spanish GP due to hand injury

Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll will not take part in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix due to pain in his hand.

On Saturday Stroll had qualified in 14th, but the Canadian will not take up his grid position tomorrow after experiencing recurring pain in his right hand and wrist.

The team said the discomfort was related to him fracturing his hand in a cycling accident on the eve of the 2023 season, and Stroll will now undergo surgery to fix the issue.

"Over the course of the past six weeks Lance has been experiencing pain in his hand and wrist, which his medical consultant believes is in relation to the procedure he underwent in 2023," Aston Martin said.

"As a result his medical team have confirmed that he will not race tomorrow and he will undergo a procedure to rectify these issues before focusing on his recovery."

A week before Bahrain's 2023 pre-season test, Stroll sustained injuries during a training ride in Malaga, including fractures in both wrists as well as a broken toe.

Having had screws inserted into his right wrist, Stroll sat out testing but made a swift recovery way ahead of schedule. The following week he took part in the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix, battling through the pain all weekend to score an impressive sixth place as Aston made a flying start to the season.

Stroll will now miss a grand prix after all, two years after the initial injury. At the time of writing it is not yet known if Stroll will recover from the procedure in time for F1's next race at the Canadian Grand Prix, but Stroll will understandably be keen to ensure he is fighting fit for his home race in Montreal in two weeks' time. First practice for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve event is scheduled on Friday 13 June.

Stroll pulling out after qualifying means Aston Martin will only enter Fernando Alonso’s car in the Spanish Grand Prix, with 19 cars on the starting grid.