Lance Stroll recounts his 12 days of uncertainty

Posted at the back of the garage Aston Martin in sock tap mode, the same monotonous tone as usual... it's a Media Thursday like there are 22 others per season for Lance stroll. Nothing has really changed, except the small bandage stuck to his right wrist, the one he broke during a bike ride in Spain a fortnight ago and which forced him to miss pre-season testing. 

After announcing on Sunday that Felipe Drugovich would replace Lance Stroll for the first Grand Prix in the event that the Canadian was not returned in time, Aston Martin finally announced this Thursday that Lance would hold his place in the car. Without dwelling too much on each answer, the teammate ofAlonso reassured about his condition. " I feel good. I pushed hard these last twelve days to be here today. I was in the simulator this Wednesday, and it went well.”

Screws in the wrist for Lance Stroll

However, the Canadian only recently knew that he would be able to be in the car this weekend. “I took it day by day. With injuries, it's always quite complicated to assess. I didn't know if it would or not. It was even going to be quite difficult, but over the last five or six days, things were getting better and better. That said, I really didn’t know how long it would last.”

In the Aston Martin garage, we are preparing to welcome Lance Stroll for the first time this season. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Operated last Monday February 20, Stroll then complied with a protocol of rest, physiotherapy then rehabilitation, before a final check in the simulator on Wednesday. “In the simulation, I felt good, even on the bumpshe confided. I'll know more tomorrow. It hurts a little, I'm not going to lie, but it feels solid. There’s nothing that can stop me at this point from riding.”

However, is it 100% sure to be at the start of the Grand Prix on Sunday? Above all, it would be a question of not being upset. “There is always a possibility to everything you know… You are never sure of anything in life. You could accidentally fall on me and break my arm, you never know (laughs). » Note that it will only be decided in the coming weeks whether or not the screws in the pilot's wrist will be removed, depending on the latter's feelings.

So, was it really reasonable to get back behind the wheel this weekend? The Canadian believes yes. “I really wanted to give myself every chance to ride by getting back in shape. Like any professional athlete, even with a little pain, let's go! If I had considered that there was a chance of making my injury worse, or that it wasn't smart, or that my bones weren't ready to handle it, I wouldn't have done it. It will be a long season. I feel confident, the doctors too, so I’m happy to be here.” Lance Stroll will therefore take the wheel of the AMR23 for the first time this season at 12:30 p.m. French time this Friday. It will then be time for a first progress report.

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