Stroll did race through the pain in Bahrain in 2023 despite still recovering from his injuries, and was described as feeling pain again over the past six weeks, so he’s previously shown his level of determination to drive, but if Montreal comes too soon then Aston Martin will have to look to their reserve options – led by Felipe Drugovich – or bring in an experienced replacement at short notice.
The ongoing McLaren driver fight
While there was plenty going on behind them, the two McLaren drivers were largely untroubled despite Red Bull’s attempts in Spain, and it was Oscar Piastri who came out on top with his fifth victory of the season.
READ MORE: Stella gives his take on Piastri’s ‘cheeky’ comment and how McLaren will manage intra-team fight going forward
It was an important win for the Australian, who had seen Lando Norris cut his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to just three points following a win from pole in Monaco just one week earlier.
The gap is out to 10 points again, but the pair remain closely matched and are always both in the frame when it comes to pole positions and victories, even if who has the upper hand fluctuates.
McLaren have repeatedly said they are aware that at some stage the battle is going to lead to a clash on track, but so far the two drivers have kept it clean. Whether that can stay the case as we move towards the midpoint of the season remains to be seen.
