ALAN BALDWIN
CANADIAN driver Lance Stroll said he was ready to race in Formula One’s Bahrain Grand Prix season-opener this weekend despite breaking his wrists in a cycling accident and missing testing.
The Canadian told reporters he had screws inserted in his right wrist after minor surgery about 11 days ago as a result of falling off his bike while training in Spain.
The left wrist was also “a bit banged up” but he had been cleared by doctors.
“It hurts a bit but it feels good, it feels solid and nothing I haven’t had before,” the driver said, adding that he had been in the team simulator riding over bumps and steering without problems on Wednesday.
“Professional athletes in every sport are sometimes in a bit of discomfort, and if I felt like it was not smart, or it was a risk of injuring myself more if I felt like my bones weren’t ready, I wouldn’t do it,” he added.
“But I do feel confident, the doctors feel confident, and here I am.”
Aston Martin first revealed the injury on February 20.
Stroll has so far had just 17 shakedown laps at a damp Silverstone in the new AMR23 car.
Brazilian reserve Felipe Drugovich had been on standby in case the son of the team’s billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll could not race.
Stroll said it had been frustrating to miss the three-day test at Sakhir, with the AMR23 impressing observers with its speed.
Two times world champion Fernando Alonso, who has joined from Renault-owned Alpine, was second fastest on the opening day and third fastest on the second when the Spaniard completed 130 laps.
“It looks great,” said Stroll. “I think everyone’s really excited, I’m really excited.”
Aston Martin finished seventh overall last year but is tipped to move up the pecking order.
The team said Drugovich and their other reserve Stoffel Vandoorne would be at the circuit this weekend.
