Lance Stroll shares Instagram post on incredible recovery timeline from bike accident

Lance Stroll has opened up on the extent of the injuries he suffered in his pre-season bike accident, and it makes the fact that he competed at the Bahrain season-opener rather mind-boggling.

On the eve of testing in Bahrain ahead of the F1 2023 season, Aston Martin announced that Stroll would not take part in the three-day test at any stage, confirming that he had suffered “minor injuries” in a cycling accident, though the team made sure to safeguard details on his condition from there.

But, with the possibility looming that his testing replacement, Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich, would compete in Stroll’s place at the Bahrain GP, confirmation came from the team that Stroll would indeed take his place on the grid for the first round of the season.

Over the race weekend it became clearer just what an ordeal Stroll had been through, multiple fractures among the injuries sustained, but now the Canadian racer has taken to social media to give a detailed overview of his injuries and the timeline of recovery to make it back for the Bahrain GP.

Having been told by medics that he was likely going to miss the early rounds of F1 2023, it is rather amazing that Stroll not only took part in the full Bahrain GP race weekend, but also crossed the line P6 as Aston Martin celebrated the perfect start to their season, Fernando Alonso having taken to the podium with a P3 finish.

“I want to take a moment today to reflect on the last couple weeks, and share my story with you guys,” Stroll’s post began.

“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.

“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.

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“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%.

“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 programme that would help me restore mobility and strength in my wrists.

“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!”