Why f1 team can't replace injured driver as little-known rule explained

JUST 19 DRIVERS WERE LEFT TO START THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX AFTER ASTON MARTIN CONFIRMED AFTER QUALIFYING THAT LANCE STROLL HAD WITHDRAWN WITH PAIN IN HIS HAND AND WRIST 12:54, 01 Jun 2025

Aston Martin were only able to field one driver at the Spanish Grand Prix after it became clear that Lance Stroll was unable to race. The Canadian qualified 14th for the Barcelona race but

did not start, his team confirming on Saturday night that he was not going to take to the grid. Stroll is set to undergo a procedure on his hand and wrist after experiencing increased pain

in both. It is believed that the problem is related to the operation he had two years ago, after an accident while cycling in Spain during pre-season training ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Within just a few weeks, Stroll was back racing and impressed by finishing sixth despite both wrists not being fully healed. But it seems one of those hands has not properly recovered and

now he must undergo another operation to fix the problem. An Aston Martin team statement read: "Over the course of the past six weeks, Lance has been experiencing pain in his hand and

wrist, which his medical consultant believes is in relation to the procedure he underwent in 2023. SIGN UP TO OUR FREE WEEKLY F1 NEWSLETTER, PIT LANE CHRONICLE, BY ENTERING YOUR EMAIL

ADDRESS BELOW SO THAT EVERY NEW EDITION LANDS STRAIGHT IN YOUR INBOX! Article continues below "As a result his medical team have confirmed that he will not race tomorrow and he will

undergo a procedure to rectify these issues before focusing on his recovery." As a result, Fernando Alonso was left as the only driver to represent Aston Martin in the Barcelona race.

The two-time Formula 1 champion started 10th on the grid and was seeking his first points of the season after a terrible run of luck which had denied him a top 10 finish. READ MORE: Lando

Norris offers unusual verdict after latest costly mistake in Oscar Piastri title battleREAD MORE: Lewis Hamilton responds to surprise result and eyes historic Ferrari first at Spanish GP

Aston Martin have one of their reserve drivers, Felipe Drugovich, with them in Barcelona this weekend. However, the rules do not allow the Brazilian racer to take Stroll's place –

because anyone who wants to race must have taken part in at least one other session that weekend. Stroll had intended to race and so took part in all three practice sessions and qualifying.

As Drugovich did not, he is unable to fill in for the Canadian and so Aston Martin were left with no choice other than to field just the one car. Stroll's result will officially be

recorded as DNS – Did Not Start. Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn

more £43 £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky's new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192.

As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+. But Stroll's misfortune could still provide Drugovich with the

opportunity he has been waiting for. With the Canadian Grand Prix coming up in two weeks, should the Montreal-born racer be unable to compete in his home city, then Aston Martin will need to

call up one of their reserves. Article continues below Drugovich will most likely get the nod in that case. And if that were to happen, it would mean an F1 race debut for the 2022 Formula 2

champion whose career has stalled since that feeder series success, unable to find a way onto the grid since signing with Aston Martin.