Lance Stroll shares incredible images of his near-miraculous recovery from pre-season bike crash

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll posted a video and a message on social media detailing his recovery from a bike crash weeks ago.  

Stroll revealed that he suffered fractures in both wrists, one of his hands, and in one of his big toes just 12 days before the start of the 2023 Formula One season in Bahrain.  

After taking time to recover, Stroll participated in qualifying and the race on Sunday – climbing two spots to finish P6 to score eight points in the first grand prix of the season.

‘I want to take a moment today to reflect on the last couple weeks, and share my story with you guys,’ Stroll shared on social media. 

‘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.’

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll revealed he fractured a hand, both wrists and a toe in a crash

The Canadian driver posted a video and a message on social media detailing his recovery

‘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 percent. 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 program that would help me restore mobility and strength in my wrists.

The 24-year-old managed to recover in time to participate in the Formula 1 season opener

Stroll crashed his bicycle in Spain prior to testing in Bahrain toward the end of February

He said his medical team devised a program to help restore mobility and strength in his wrists

Stroll said doctors devised a training plan to get him back for the second Grand Prix of the season in Saudi Arabia, believing that the chances of making Bahrain were a longshot

‘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!’

It was a tough transition at the start of the Grand Prix for Stroll, who collided with new teammate Fernando Alonso at turn four on the very first lap. 

That dropped him down a spot to P9, but by lap five, he was back in P8 where he started the race. 

After keeping pace behind Alonso for most of the race in P7, he moved up a spot when the engine on the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc failed on him.

As Stroll progressed, he recovered enough to race and taking part in qualifying in Bahrain

New teammate Fernando Alonso praised Stroll, calling him ‘my driver of the day’

Alonso – who also finished in the points after getting a podium through a P3 finish – praised Stroll’s driving, calling him ‘my f***ing hero’ and ‘my driver of the day’. 

After the race was complete, Stroll mentioned that he was struggling throughout the day, but kept his eyes on the points.

‘Pain, pushing through pain… we had a great car and I was just thinking about the points and I knew we were in a really good position.

‘So, I just kind of took it corner by corner pushed through the pain and um yeah brought it home… 

‘Such a great day for the team third and sixth, tons of points, really happy.’