Lance Stroll, in the eye of the storm: insults, damage and controversy after its decline in the GP of Spain

Lance Stroll remained in the center of the controversy in Formula 1. Although it was officially reported that his absence in the Spain Grand Prix was due to a wrist injury, in the last hours details that question that version and point to a strong altercation in Aston Martin’s boxes. As it transpired, the pilot would have starred in a violent episode after being eliminated in the second round of classification (Q2), which would have resulted in his exclusion from the race.

The British team announced on social networks that the Canadian would not compete on Sunday at the Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya due to a painting of persistent pain in the hand and wrist, a consequence of an operation carried out in 2023. However, international media such as the BBC and Sky Sports F1 They reported that there were screams, insults and even damage to the team’s box after their poor performance performance.

What happened to Stroll in Aston Martin’s box?

According to sources close to the team, Stroll insulted several members of Aston Martin and launched a helmet against the wall with such violence that could have been damaged. Screams and expressions of fury are also mentioned in a moment of tension that put in check the image of the pilot and internal handling of the team.

The specialized journalist David Croft, commentator of Sky Sports F1, confirmed these facts in a recent coverage: “I understand that someone threw a helmet, to the point that it could have been damaged, with such force that it hit the wall. There were also many screams and insults.”revealed.

These versions coincide with the previous BBC coverage, which had informed about a “unacceptable” behavior of the pilot After 14 ° in Q2. Although from Aston Martin they insist that the injury that left him out of competition did not occur during that moment of fury, doubts persist.

The official version: a wrist injury

In a statement, the team explained that Lance Stroll had been dragging wrist pain for six weeks, related to the surgery to which he submitted in 2023. As reported, the decision to lower it from the GP was medical, with the aim of prioritizing its recovery and avoiding more physical complications.

However, the fact that the pilot has competed in the classification feeds skepticism. In the words of David Croft: “I don’t believe that ‘we have been monitoring this for six weeks’, because if so, they would not have let the Quali run. If they knew that they could not be in conditions, they had to put Felipe Drugovich before.”.

Criticism is foundation: once a pilot participates in the classification, cannot be replaced In the race, which left Aston Martin with a single car on the grill.

Drugovich, the alternative that was not

The Brazilian Felipe DrugovichPilot reserves of the team, was marginalized from the competition despite being available. According to Croft, it is already seriously evaluated that it runs in the next Canada GP if Stroll is not in physical or emotional conditions to get back on the car. “Felipe deserves the opportunity. He is champion of Formula 2 and wants to be in F1. He will not go to Le Mans if he has the chance of running in Canada”the journalist remarked.

The performance of Aston Martin, in free fall

Beyond the controversies, the present sportsman of Aston Martin is worrying. With alone 16 points in the Builder Championshipthe team marches in the last position, matching Sauber and just ahead of Alpine, where the Argentine competes Franco Colapint.

The only one who added to the team in Spain was Fernando Alonsowho finished 9th and achieved his first points of the season. The contrast with 2023, where Aston Martin had started as one of the revelation teams, is notorious.

What will happen to Stroll?

The next weeks will be key to the future of Lance Stroll in Formula 1. The cross versions, their low yield and boxes in boxes generate an explosive combo in a team that does not find the course. If you do not improve your behavior or your physical condition, it is likely that Aston Martin decides to give Drugovich a definitive opportunity.

For now, the only sure thing is that the scandal did not go unnoticed and revived the questions about Stroll’s continuity in the highest category, beyond his family link with the owner of the team, Lawrence Stroll.