Why F1 team can't replace injured driver at Spanish GP as little-known rule explained

Aston Martin were only able to field one driver at the after it became clear that was unable to race. The Canadian qualified 14th for the Barcelona race but did not start, that he was not going to take to the grid.

Stroll is set to undergo a procedure on his hand and wrist after experiencing increased pain in both. It is believed that the problem is related to the operation he had two years ago, after ahead of the 2023 campaign.

Within just a few weeks, and impressed by finishing sixth despite both wrists not being fully healed. But it seems one of those hands has not properly recovered and now he must undergo another operation to fix the problem.

An team statement read: "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.

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"As a result his medical team have confirmed that he will not race tomorrow and he will undergo a procedure to rectify these issues before focusing on his recovery."

As a result, was left as the only driver to represent Aston Martin in the Barcelona race. The two-time champion started 10th on the grid and was seeking his first points of the season after a terrible run of luck which had denied him a top 10 finish.

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Aston Martin have one of their reserve drivers, , with them in Barcelona this weekend. However, the rules do not allow the Brazilian racer to take Stroll's place – because anyone who wants to race must have taken part in at least one other session that weekend.

Stroll had intended to race and so took part in all three practice sessions and qualifying. As Drugovich did not, he is unable to fill in for the Canadian and so Aston Martin were left with no choice other than to field just the one car. Stroll's result will officially be recorded as DNS – Did Not Start.

But Stroll's misfortune could still provide Drugovich with the opportunity he has been waiting for. With the coming up in two weeks, should the Montreal-born racer be unable to compete in his home city, then Aston Martin will need to call up one of their reserves.

Drugovich will most likely get the nod in that case. And if that were to happen, it would mean an F1 race debut for the 2022 champion whose career has stalled since that feeder series success, unable to find a way onto the grid since signing with Aston Martin.