Who to replace Lance Stroll in the event of a withdrawal?

In recent years, the equation would have been simple. It's the luxury joker Nico Hulkenberg who would have played the firefighters on duty in case of need at Aston Martin, as he did in 2020 at Silverstone, and as he had to do it again in Jeddah last year. But the German is obviously the starter at Haas from now on, and Aston Martin will have to make another choice if Lance stroll can't hold his place. As a reminder, the Canadian was the victim of a road accident while cycling, injuring his wrist. The Silverstone team has not yet decided on its participation in the first Grand Prix of the season, nor on the identity of its possible replacement. Here are the four drivers who have the luckiest. 

Philip Drugovich 

It is undoubtedly the most logical, most obvious choice. Reserve driver of the team after his championship title Formula 2 Last year, the Brazilian took part in pre-season testing by driving two half-days in the AMR23 (Thursday morning and Saturday morning). If he has the confidence of the team and he has the advantage of having piloted the new car, his inexperience of F1 at a time when Aston Martin intends to play the leading roles could harm it.

On Thursday, Mike Krack said he had not made a decision on the identity of Stroll's possible replacement. “Drugovich did the morning session today, so that's also something you have to do as a team just to cover all eventualities. We have not yet made the final decision on how we will proceed for the next few days. We will decide in the next few hours”

Felipe Drugovich. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Mick Schumacher 

The German has the advantage of also being on site, but above all of having been a starter for the last two years in Formula 1. The son of the Red Baron is undoubtedly starting from a little further away, but we know that the position of reservist at Mercedes can offer quite a few opportunities. Last year, his predecessor Nyck de Vries found himself alternately behind the wheel of the Mercedes, the Williams and precisely the Aston Martin. However, the fact that the Silverstone team did not ask the German to get into the car for testing probably means that the former Haas driver's chances are slim. 

Mick Schumacher is Mercedes' reserve. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

Sebastian Vettel 

This is the crazy rumor of the last few hours. The four-time German world champion obviously knows the house well having spent the last two seasons there. Retired since last November after saying an emotional farewell to Abu Dhabi, the German has his counter stuck at… 299 Grands Prix in Formula 1. Although he warned last year that he would be willing to lend a helping hand at Suzuka, on his favorite track, what would it be like in Bahrain? Mike Krack admitted on Sunday evening to having spoken on the phone with him in recent days, specifying however that it was not an event and that they called each other regularly. Asked about the possible interest of his former pilot, Krack did not comment. Difficult to imagine… but a duo of pilots Alonso-Hag, that would look good, right? 

Sebastian Vettel knows the team well… © Florent Gooden / DPPI

Stoffel vandoorne 

On paper, he could be the suitable driver. A reserve for the team like Felipe Drugovich, Stoffel Vandoorne has the immense advantage of having experience in F1, and a few hours of simulators at the wheel of the AMR23. Problem, and not the least, the Belgian was held in Cape Town in Formula E at the time of F1 pre-season testing (February 23-25). Does this mean he has no chance of being in the car next weekend? 

Does Stoffel Vandoorne have a chance? © Eric Alonso / DPPI

ALSO READ > Stroll's absence "did a lot of harm" to Aston Martin, says Alonso