Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll has detailed his miraculous recovery from a horrendous bike accident after starring at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Canadian driver dealt with four different fractures to take sixth place in the Formula 1 season opener, jumping back in a car less than two weeks after the accident.
Stroll was seen at the Sakhir paddock with both wrists bandaged, as well as sliders on his feet to make space for a swollen toe.
He’s now confirmed there were fractures in both wrists, his left hand and big toe on his right foot.
The 24-year-old didn’t take any part in pre-season testing a week earlier, and looked a serious doubt for the Bahrain opener, with teammate Fernando Alonso undertaking most testing, and reserve driver Felipe Drugovich lined up as a substitute.
With Aston Martin flying in testing, Stroll couldn’t keep himself away for the first Grand Prix of the season, and the team eventually claimed a mega 23 points, with only Red Bull taking home more.
It wasn’t an easy journey for Stroll though, as he’s now revealed in a social media post.
Writing alongside a number of images of his comeback, he said: “I want to take a moment today to reflect on the last couple weeks, and share my story with you guys.
“On Saturday, February 18th I crashed on my bike while training in Spain. The scans showed I had a fracture and displacement in my right wrist, a fracture in my left wrist, a partial fracture in my left hand and finally another fracture in the big toe on my right foot.
“With the beginning of the season right around the corner the timing could not have been worse. My medical team, at first, believed I was not only going to miss testing, but realistically the first few races.
“48 hours after my accident/12 days before the first race Dr. Javier Mir successfully operated on my right wrist. Following surgery, Dr. Mir told me I’d be back for Jeddah if I worked hard and with a bit of luck he was optimistic I could race in Bahrain – but that was a faint possibility. To this day I am convinced the urgency Dr. Mir showed to me helped get me to Bahrain.
“The work wasn’t done. Unfortunately, Dr. Mir explained that the fractures in my left hand/wrist and toe weren’t suitable for fixation, and that I’d need to rely on a more conservative approach to heal my other injuries.
“My medical team ensured we were doing anything and everything that showed some evidence for bone healing. It became my full-time job, trying to combine everything that could help, even if it was by 0.5 per cent.
“Initially progress was slow – I needed a lot of help even with daily tasks at home.
“But each day got better and once the cast came off on day 4 it became possible we had a chance of racing in Bahrain. My medical team devised a programme that would help me restore mobility and strength in my wrists.
“Rehab required hard work and persistence – but with an incredible medical team and my friends and family supporting me – I was able to push through the pain and get back on track in Bahrain with my team and fellow drivers.
“And we did it!!!
“I am thankful for everyone who supported me, sent kind notes and wishes!”
Teammate Alonso was quick to comment on the Instagram post, writing: “Just phenomenal.”
