**Lance Stroll Withdraws from Spanish GP Due to Hand Injury**

Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll will not compete in the Spanish Grand Prix this Sunday, having been sidelined by pain in his right hand and wrist. Stroll, who managed to qualify in 14th place on Saturday, has been experiencing ongoing discomfort stemming from a previous injury sustained earlier this year.

The Canadian driver initially fractured his hand during a cycling accident just before the 2023 season commenced. While he had undergone surgery to insert screws into his right wrist, allowing him to compete in the opening race in Bahrain, the pain has evidently persisted. Aston Martin confirmed that Stroll's recurring pain is linked to his earlier procedure.

"Over the course of the past six weeks, Lance has been experiencing pain in his hand and wrist, which his medical consultant believes is in relation to the procedure he underwent in 2023," the team stated. "As a result, his medical team has confirmed that he will not race tomorrow and he will undergo a procedure to rectify these issues before focusing on his recovery."

Stroll had missed pre-season testing in Bahrain due to his initial injury, but made a remarkable comeback to compete in the season opener, finishing an impressive sixth place despite his physical challenges. His determination was evident as he battled through the pain to help Aston Martin start the season on a high note.

Unfortunately, Stroll will now have to miss the Spanish Grand Prix entirely. It remains uncertain if he will recover in time for the next race at the Canadian Grand Prix—Stroll's home event—set to take place in Montreal in two weeks. The first practice session at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is scheduled for Friday, June 13th.

With Stroll's withdrawal, Aston Martin will only have Fernando Alonso's car on the starting grid, reducing the total number of competitors to 19 for the Spanish Grand Prix. This unexpected development puts additional pressure on Alonso to secure points for the team in Stroll's absence.