Aston Martin were able to celebrate scoring points for only the fourth time this season at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Fernando Alonso finally ended his points drought in front of hundreds of thousands of his fans by finishing ninth at the Circuit de Catalunya.
The Spaniard had to overtake several of his rivals after the safety car to break into the top 10 and earned an additional point after Max Verstappen’s penalty.
However, the pressure was on the Aston Martin veteran to perform after Lance Stroll withdrew from the race after qualifying.
| RANK | DRIVER | TEAM | POINTS |
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 25 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 18 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 15 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 12 |
| 5 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | 10 |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 8 |
| 7 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 6 |
| 8 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 4 |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 2 |
| 10 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1 |
He was set to start 14th, although he would have likely been excluded from the session after failing to get weighed immediately after being eliminated.
F1 fans weren’t convinced about Stroll’s absence, and while the team are yet to say whether they think he’ll be fit to race at the Canadian Grand Prix, they need to make preparations now in case he’s unable to take part.
There are several options available to team principal Andy Cowell, including one left-field option looking for a way back onto the grid: Valtteri Bottas.
READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Mike Krack responds to rumours about Lance Stroll’s Spanish Grand Prix injury
A report from BBC Sport suggested that Stroll ‘lost his temper’ after his qualifying elimination with ‘word around the paddock’ suggesting that he broke things in the garage and swore at Aston Martin staff.
Chief trackside officer Mike Krack was asked about this during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend and said: “I was on the pit wall. I have not heard anything like that. This is typical paddock gossip.”
“We do not ask a driver every five minutes, ‘Do you have pain or not?’ You know? You have a chat here with the physio or a chat and you understand there are some small issues.
“We’ve seen this with Lance in 2023 when he fought his way back. They want to drive. They do not want to be out. So very often, I think they drive with probably more pain than they would probably admit to be able to drive because this is what they love to do.
“Over the last weeks, there was a mention here or there, but you’re never aware how much it is. Over the weekend, I think it was getting too much.”
Aston Martin could ‘theoretically’ call up Valtteri Bottas after Lance Stroll’s injury
A report from ESPN explained that members of other teams were ‘sceptical’ of Aston Martin’s story.
Stroll suffered serious wrist injuries after a cycling accident on the eve of the 2023 season but managed to take part in the season opener that year.
ESPN’s report goes on to say that many Aston Martin staff weren’t aware of Stroll’s injury issues, with the team suggesting he had been on a six-week ‘pain management’ program.
Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne are Aston Martin’s most natural replacements for the Canadian if he can’t take part in the next race.
However, they’re both supposed to be taking part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans that weekend, and Aston Martin could ‘theoretically’ call up Valtteri Bottas if they would like.
The Finn, who has 67 F1 podiums, is available to Aston Martin as part of their partnership with Mercedes as an engine customer before their switch to Honda power units in 2026.
READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Valtteri Bottas has already tested Mercedes’ rival F1 car this season
Bottas lost his seat at Sauber at the end of last season and took up a role as reserve driver at Mercedes this year.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has praised Bottas for his help behind the scenes, and earlier this year, the Finn took part in a private test for McLaren.
| Grand Prix starts | 246 |
| Pole positions | 20 |
| Podiums | 67 |
| Wins | 10 |
| Fastest laps | 19 |
| Points | 1797 |
| Best finish | 2nd (2019, 2020) |
Bottas has been linked with Cadillac as they get ready to make their Formula 1 debut in 2026.
A one-off appearance for Aston Martin could be just what he needs to prove to the American outfit that he deserves a permanent spot on the grid next season.
Drugovich and Vandoorne won’t want to miss out on this chance to replace Stroll, but if Aston Martin don’t make their decision fast enough on Stroll’s fitness, then Bottas might be the de facto choice.
