Drugovich stands in for Stroll in Bahrain F1 testing
Aston Martin Formula 1 team reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will stand in for the injured Lance Stroll in the first session of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday morning.
The team confirmed on Monday that Stroll had been injured in a cycling accident while training, and won’t be able to take part in the three-day test.
Formula 2 champion Drugovich has been thus called up and will get an unexpected opportunity to try the new AMR23.
Fernando Alonso will drive the car on Thursday afternoon, but the team says it has not yet firmed up its schedule for the remaining two days of the test.
Aston Martin’s other reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne, is committed to the Formula E event which takes place in Cape Town on Saturday.
The Sakhir track mileage will give Drugovich a chance to get up to speed, which will be useful in case he’s required to race the car in Bahrain, or indeed at any stage this year.
It will also help him with correlation with the team’s simulator, in which the Brazilian will conduct extensive running over the course of the season.
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin AMR22
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Drugovich had his first experience with Aston Martin when he drove the AMR22 in FP1 in Abu Dhabi last year, and he also stayed on for the young driver test at the same venue.
Speaking about his incident 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.”
The team added that Stroll "is however expecting a quick recovery and return to driving duties. His fitness to return to the cockpit will be assessed daily and the team will issue an update ahead of the Bahrain GP."
Assuming Stroll is fit enough to be able to take part in the race weekend he will in on the back foot having missed a vital one and half days of testing.
Hamilton happy Mercedes’ F1 livery switch is "all out" for performance
Krack: 2023 F1 changes shows team boss role may be overrated
Hulkenberg planning full Ferrari sim programme
Hulkenberg planning full Ferrari sim programme Hulkenberg planning full Ferrari sim programme
How Fallows has fostered an "Aston Martin way" to boost F1 team
How Fallows has fostered an "Aston Martin way" to boost F1 team How Fallows has fostered an "Aston Martin way" to boost F1 team
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
NASCAR has a problem with Austin restarts, but does it really care?
NASCAR has a problem with Austin restarts, but does it really care? NASCAR has a problem with Austin restarts, but does it really care?
Trackhouse Project 91 NASCAR team won’t run Raikkonen next time
Trackhouse Project 91 NASCAR team won’t run Raikkonen next time Trackhouse Project 91 NASCAR team won’t run Raikkonen next time
Hill: Piastri will avoid snowball effect that hit Mick Schumacher in F1
Hill: Piastri will avoid snowball effect that hit Mick Schumacher in F1 Hill: Piastri will avoid snowball effect that hit Mick Schumacher in F1
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans 24 Hours
Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans 24 Hours Tandy, Jaminet complete Porsche LMDh driver line-up for Le Mans 24 Hours
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The state of play in F1's technical silly season
The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.