Estéban den Toom is an editor at GPblog, specializing in Formula 1. With a background in journalism and a keen eye for detail, he delivers daily, reliable coverage and analysis of technical developments and on-track strategy within the sport.
On medical leave, Lance Stroll will not participate in the Grand
Prix of Spain at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Late on Saturday evening
the news broke that the Canadian driver would not appear at the start
on Sunday. But what now? Aston Martin cannot
field a replacement for the race on Spanish soil.
Stroll will not participate in the Grand Prix of Spain, and
a replacement cannot simply be called upon. To participate in the race, a driver must also have taken part in the qualifying
for that particular race. Fernando Alonso will therefore be the only Aston
Martin driver who has a shot at scoring points for the team tomorrow.
What if Stroll is also unavailable in Canada?
What about the races after that? The next race after the
Grand Prix of Spain is the Grand Prix of Canada, Stroll's home race.
Should Lance be unable to participate there, the question then becomes who the team
chooses as a replacement for that race weekend.
The Canadian Grand Prix overlaps with the 24 Hours of Le
Mans. Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne are Aston Martin's reserve
drivers but both are participating in the prestigious 24-hour race. Since Drugovich is a guest driver in the LMP2 class, it makes sense for him to skip the race in France, to take part in the Canadian Grand Prix instead - that is, if Stroll is unable to compete in Montreal.
ADVERTISEMENT
Valtteri Bottas is not an option. For instance, if McLaren
needed a reserve driver, they could ask Mercedes to put Valtteri
Bottas in the MCL39. But such a 'deal' is not in place with Aston Martin (Mercedes' customer team, ed.),
Mercedes has confirmed to GPblog.
The American Jak Crawford (competing in Formula 2) is also a reserve driver for Aston Martin, but he then
faces the issue of not having enough points for a super license and
thus cannot race in Formula 1.
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google
