Lance Stroll missed the Spanish Grand Prix to undergo surgery to relive pain in his hand and wrist, which was related to the injuries he suffered in a 2023 pre-season training accident

Lance Stroll has confirmed that he plans to race at the Canadian Grand Prix. The Aston Martin driver missed the last race in Barcelona for surgery on his hand and wrist which placed his participation in this weekend’s Montreal race in doubt.

Aston Martin said their ‘plan A’ was for Stroll to race but acknowledged they may have needed a ‘plan B’. That would have seen one of their reserve drivers, either Felipe Drugovich or Stoffel Vandoorne, pulled away from the 24 Hours of Le Mans to fill in for the Canadian.

But the team has now confirmed that Stroll is set to take part in his home race. An Aston Martin spokesperson said the 26-year-old had travelled to France this week for some testing laps at the Circuit Paul Ricard to check that his body could handle the stress of driving an F1 car.

They said: “We are pleased to confirm that Lance Stroll will be back with the team competing in Montreal this weekend. He had a successful medical procedure to resolve the symptoms he has been experiencing and completed some laps in an old F1 car at Paul Ricard earlier this week. Lance is feeling fit and healthy, and is excited to compete in front of his home crowd.”

And Stroll added: “I am excited to get back behind the wheel with the team for my home Grand Prix this weekend. I was always going to fight hard to be ready to race in front of the Montreal crowd. I’m feeling good after my procedure and put some laps in at Paul Ricard this week to prepare. Thanks for all the support, see you guys this weekend!”

It means an unchanged driver line-up for Aston Martin in Canada this weekend as Stroll resumes his place alongside Fernando Alonso. As the Canadian had already qualified for the Barcelona race two weeks ago before his decision to withdraw, the team was unable to replace him.

Stroll’s return in Montreal had increasingly become the expected outcome. When questioned on his chances of racing in F1 this weekend, Vandoorne told reporters at Le Mans that Stroll was “in good shape” and was doing “everything he can to be at the race in Canada”.

It means the wait goes on for Drugovich to finally get the chance to show what he can do behind the wheel of an F1 car. Since winning the 2022 Formula 2 title, the Brazilian has been stuck on the sidelines as an Aston Martin reserve driver, growing steadily more frustrated about his stagnating career.

Aston Martin’s confirmation of Stroll’s plan to race means Drugovich and Vandoorne can fully focus on their preparations for the famous Le Mans race, which also takes place this weekend.

And Stroll will bid to add to the 14 points he has amassed so far in 2025. Team-mate Alonso finally scored his first two points of the year last time out at the Spanish Grand Prix, to end a barren run which had seen the two-time F1 champion endure some terrible luck which had denied him a top-10 finish up to that point.