Felipe Drugovich could soon make his Formula 1 debut, with Lance Stroll at serious risk of missing his home Grand Prix.
The situation around Aston Martin’s second seat has grown increasingly uncertain after the team announced that Lance Stroll would not race in the Spanish Grand Prix. The Canadian has been suffering for weeks with wrist pain — the same area he injured in 2023 — and will undergo another procedure to address the issue. For now, it’s unclear whether he will recover in time to race in Montreal.
In parallel, rumors from the paddock reported a heated moment on Saturday: Stroll allegedly “threw objects in the garage and insulted the team” following his Q2 elimination — a sign of growing tension.
Drugovich leading the shortlist
With Stroll’s participation in doubt, Felipe Drugovich emerges as the most likely replacement. The 2022 F2 champion has served as Aston Martin’s reserve driver for three seasons and has consistently prioritized this role over racing in other series — hoping for his long-awaited chance in F1.
Aside from filling in for Stroll during pre-season testing last year, Drugovich has had limited opportunities behind the wheel, mainly in Free Practice sessions. Still, he has never given up on Formula 1 — to the point of being willing to skip the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which clashes with the Canadian GP, to make his debut.
“Right now, I don’t even know what will happen,” Drugovich told es.motorsport.
“The priority is to wish Lance a quick recovery, but for me, F1 has always been the main goal. Until there’s an update, I’ll stick with that commitment.”
Aston Martin evaluating its options
The final decision will rest with Aston Martin’s medical team, who are closely monitoring Stroll’s recovery. But time is running out: the Canadian GP is less than two weeks away, and the recovery window is quickly narrowing.
Mike Krack, now Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer, commented on the situation:
“I’m not a doctor, so it’s hard to make predictions. There will be more tests in the coming days and then we’ll decide. Plan A is to have Lance in the car, but we may need a Plan B. We’ve known for some time that Le Mans would coincide with the Canadian GP, so we’re also evaluating other options.”
Despite the possibility of turning to other drivers, Drugovich remains Aston Martin’s most logical choice. He knows the car, he’s been embedded in the team for three seasons, and he’s made it clear he’s ready to seize the opportunity.
Photo: Felipe Drugovich
