20 February 2023 , 15:26
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Lance Stroll has been ruled out of pre-season testing after he was involved in "a minor accident" while riding a bicycle.
Stroll is preparing for his seventh full season in Formula 1 and his first alongside new team-mate, double champion Fernando Alonso. But his preparations have been disrupted by an accident suffered during pre-season training.
Aston Martin confirmed that he suffered the accident while riding a bicycle in Spain. He sustained injuries "which will result in him sitting out the pre-season test in Bahrain", though the team added Stroll is "expecting a quick recovery and return to driving duties".
A statement added: "His fitness to return to the cockpit will be assessed daily and the team will issue an update ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team wishes Lance a speedy recovery and looks forward to his usual energy and commitment within the team."
Stroll said: "I've had an unfortunate accident whilst training on my bike in preparation for the season. I am determined to get back in the car and I am excited about the season ahead with the team. I am motivated to bounce back from this setback as quickly as possible."
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It is not yet known whether Aston Martin will put on of its reserve drivers behind the wheel in testing later this week in Stroll's absence. If so, then Felipe Drugovich is the likely candidate with Stoffel Vandoorne in South Africa for the Cape Town E-Prix Formula E race.
Fernando Alonso races alongside Stroll for Aston Martin this year (Getty Images)Stroll finished 15th in the drivers' standings in 2022 with 18 points. His best finish in F1 to date was in 2020 when he took 11th place in the championship – a season which also yielded two of the Canadian's three podium finishes in the sport.
This year he drives alongside Alonso, who recently had lots of good things to say about his new team-mate. "I've known Lance for 11 years. We met in 2012 when I was at Ferrari – he was in the Ferrari Academy. And I've known his father, Lawrence, for many years," said the Spaniard.
"He's a great friend of mine. I've been to his house in Canada a few times, doing different sports and enjoying time together. He has the speed, and he has the talent. He has shown it many times, especially in wet conditions... In Lance, the team has a driver who is super young, super talented and has the possibility to be world champion."