Aston Martin is in a difficult position ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, with Lance Stroll’s recovery highly uncertain and the possibility of him missing his home race. If that happens, several drivers would be willing to jump at the chance to drive in F1, including seasoned veteran Valtteri Bottas. More importantly, however, will team principal Lawrence Stroll’s eyes be opened to his son’s project. If that happens, who would be the best replacement for Stroll – not just for the Canadian Grand Prix, but also for the future of the team? Aston Martin is in a difficult position at the moment. It’s not just the car’s poor performance in the 2025 season that is at stake, but also the driver line-up. Lance Stroll’s performances have raised questions in recent years, and although he collected all the points for the team before the Barcelona Grand Prix, his driving skills have been criticised. Fans, pundits and media have called for him to be replaced, and rumours have even suggested that Adrian Newey has spoken to Lawrence Stroll about driver selection. Now there is a race ahead that Stroll may not be able to participate in, even though it is his home race, which could significantly increase his motivation.

Aston Martin trackside manager Mike Krack provided further information on Stroll’s recovery, saying: “We will have to see what the next few days bring. I understand that further tests and examinations will be carried out in the coming days and we will have more information soon.” Stroll’s wrist injury, which he sustained in a cycling accident in 2023, required surgery before the Barcelona Grand Prix. His determination to compete at the start of the season after the injury showed his determination, but the situation after qualifying in Barcelona raises questions. It has been reported that Stroll could become angry during qualifying and vent his frustrations about the team’s equipment, as well as possibly arguing with staff. Shortly afterwards, the team announced that he needed surgery to relieve pain, raising doubts about whether an internal incident within the team was involved in the decision to rush the surgery.

This situation suggests that Stroll’s time in Formula 1 may be over, despite his father’s significant influence as team owner. The key question now is who will replace Stroll in Canada. The leading candidate is Felipe Drugovich, who has confirmed that his priority is Formula 1, despite having the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Cadillac team that same weekend. Drugovich commented: “We wish Lance the best, but Formula 1 has always been my priority.” This shows that he and Aston Martin are ready to act if Stroll does not recover in time. However, the question arises whether choosing an inexperienced driver is a risky move, especially with the team struggling for points in the middle of the pack.

Alongside Drugovich, Aston Martin has another reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne, who has plenty of F1 experience and a solid simulator background. However, a more surprising candidate is Valtteri Bottas, who has emerged as a possible replacement. Bottas could be an excellent choice for the team, as he is familiar with the Mercedes powertrain that Aston Martin uses, having driven it from 2017 to 2021. Bottas is also motivated to show his ability with a view to a 2026 team seat, especially with Cadillac, who are seriously considering him. Bottas’ 246 F1 starts, 10 wins and 67 podiums make him an experienced and reliable option. While younger drivers like F2 champion Drugovich could bring new energy, Aston Martin’s current situation may not allow for experimentation when every point is valuable.

Bottas himself has stressed his desire to continue in F1: “I’m without a race seat, but it’s not my choice. I feel I still have a lot to give.” His possible participation in the Canadian GP could be a defining moment in his career, especially if he manages to impress with his performance. This could strengthen his position in the eyes of the Cadillac team, which is not rushing its driver decisions, but sees Bottas as a viable candidate. For Aston Martin, Bottas’s selection could also signal a commitment to competitive driver selection, which could attract Max Verstappen, for example, if the team manages to develop a fast car for the 2026 season with the help of Adrian Newey and Honda.

If Bottas replaces Stroll and performs well, it could change Aston Martin’s driver policy, not just for the Canadian Grand Prix but also in the longer term. Replacing Stroll – not just for one race, but potentially for the entire season or even the 2026 season – could be inevitable if the reserve drivers show the car’s potential in the midfield points battle. This situation puts Aston Martin in an interesting position: should they choose the experienced Bottas, who brings certainty, or give a chance to a young promise like Drugovich?