Stroll to miss São Paulo media day while recovering from illness

Lance Stroll will miss Thursday’s media day at Interlagos as he recovers from a viral infection contracted at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Aston Martin says the Canadian is improving and is expected back in the paddock on Friday.

Stroll completed the Mexico City race before symptoms appeared. The team has kept him away from Thursday’s commitments as a precaution, but has given no indication that he is set to miss Friday’s practice sessions.

His absence puts team-mate Fernando Alonso on media duty in the second drivers’ press conference, alongside Alonso’s usual commitments. The change concerns Thursday’s schedule; Aston Martin has not raised an issue with Stroll’s participation in the rest of the weekend.

Aston Martin expects Stroll back on Friday

The team’s update describes Stroll as recovering well and expresses confidence that he will return to the paddock on Friday. It has not suggested that the illness has affected his race-weekend plans beyond the media-day absence.

The timing follows the long-haul transition from Mexico to Brazil, a stretch that has previously brought fatigue and health problems for drivers and team personnel. The team’s cautious approach keeps Stroll away from paddock duties while he recovers, without indicating a wider concern about his availability.

Aston Martin’s decision also leaves Alonso to cover the team’s Thursday media work. The pair’s longer-term place at the team has featured in coverage of Aston Martin’s 2027 driver plans.

Illness affected other drivers in Mexico

Stroll was not the only driver to miss media commitments during the recent rounds. Kimi Antonelli and Valtteri Bottas were both absent from Mexico City media day because of illness. Sergio Perez also became unwell on the opening day of track action, and missed both a fan event and his media duties.

The episodes underline the health challenges noted around the journey between the Mexican and Brazilian events. For Stroll, however, Aston Martin has framed Thursday’s absence as a precaution while he recovers, with a return to the paddock anticipated the following day.

Stroll’s wider relationship with the team is explored in our report on his stated commitment to Aston Martin.