Lance Stroll Could Possibly Miss the Canadian Grand Prix
With the Canadian Grand Prix looming on June 16th, Aston Martin faces a complicated situation to see if Lance Stroll will recover in time. The Canadian driver withdrew from the recent Spanish Grand Prix due to wrist and hand pain—an issue tied to lingering weakness from a February 2023 cycling crash that required surgery. After holding on for the qualifying spot with a Q2 finish, Stroll and the team announced that he would miss the feature race in Spain. Now, as Montreal approaches, speculation is rising: If Stroll can’t attend again, could reserve driver Felipe Drugovich be the one to take the wheel?
Stroll’s injury history has been documented. In February 2023, a cycling crash in Spain left him with multiple fractures in both wrists, a knee, and a toe, forcing split-second surgery just days before the Bahrain opener. He returned to the grid in Bahrain with both wrists heavily bandaged, finishing an impressive sixth, but the damage took a toll. Although a quick recovery allowed him to continue racing, episodes of pain and discomfort have persisted into 2025. At Barcelona, after another medical scan revealed swelling and pain, team doctors advised him to sit out to allow a minor procedure and avoid worsening the injury.
Enter Felipe Drugovich. The 2022 Formula Two champion has spent multiple seasons as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, getting valuable seat time during FP1 sessions and testing. With Stroll out in Spain and now possibly Canada, the acronym “Plan B” suddenly gained meaning. Drugovich, who is currently enrolled in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, has made his interest clear: he’ll prioritize an F1 call-up if needed. Despite his endurance commitments, he isn’t hedging; his ambition and readiness shine through. The paddock has begun buzzing at the mere possibility. A switch to Drugovich in Canada would mark his first full race start in Formula One, a long-awaited breakthrough. Fans are already imagining the fresh pace and energy he could bring to the Aston Martin car on Montreal’s fast straights and tight chicanes. Reddit users have expressed excitement, joking that if Drugovich steps in and scores a strong top-six finish, “it would be both quite funny if Felipe replaces Stroll for one race and immediately gets something like P5 or P6”. With Montreal’s high attendance and media spotlight, any impressive debut could define his reputation.
Still, obstacles remain: F1 regulations require reserve drivers to complete a practice session to qualify for replacing a regular driver—something that couldn’t happen in Spain due to the late announcement. There’s also the logistical hurdle of finalizing plans before Wednesday of a race week, given his overlapping Le Mans testing responsibilities. Yet, those close to AMR confirm that if Lance isn’t cleared in time, Drugovich is next in line. He would be selected over options like Stoffel Vandoorne or Valtteri Bottas.
