Formula 1 (F1) has always been a thrilling sport, but it comes with its own set of risks. The exhilarating races around the world can sometimes take a dangerous turn, putting the safety of drivers on the line.
In a recent turn of events at the Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying race, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll faced a heart-stopping crash.
An Unsettling Moment
As the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Qualifying race unfolded on September 16th, the tension in the air was palpable. Drivers were pushing their limits, striving to secure a spot in the next qualifying session. Lance Stroll, representing Aston Martin, was among them.
In the closing moments of the session, Stroll’s car veered off course as it grazed the curbs, sending it into a horrifying collision with the trackside barriers.
The impact was jarring, causing the car to disintegrate into pieces. Debris scattered across the track, and the front-left wheel of Stroll’s Aston Martin detached and rolled away.
The Collective Gasps
The sight of Stroll’s car breaking apart must have sent shivers down the spines of fans, teammates, and spectators alike. The crash forced another driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision. It was a moment of high tension and immense concern.
In the midst of the chaos and destruction, Stroll’s race engineer inquired about his condition. To everyone’s amazement, Stroll responded affirmatively. He was unharmed.
In an incredible display of composure, Lance Stroll emerged from the wreckage without any assistance. Despite the severity of the crash, he seemed practically unscathed. I guess you could say Stroll had “strolled” away from danger.
Following the crash, Stroll underwent a precautionary check-up at the medical center. Fortunately, he received a clean bill of health, allowing him to return to his team.
Will begin the main race from 20th position
Later, when speaking to the media, Stroll described the crash as “really bad.” He attributed it to a challenging out-lap with traffic, inadequate tire temperature, and a lack of grip during the session. In his quest to make up for lost time, he pushed too hard in the final corner, resulting in the unfortunate collision.
The crash had repercussions for Stroll’s qualifying performance. He finished in last place, failing to progress to the second qualifying session reserved for the top 15 drivers. Consequently, he will start the main race from the 20th position on Sunday.
A huge impact ended Lance Stroll's qualifying session early#SingaporeGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/xnpOGSsgsZ
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 16, 2023
Aston Martin’s updates
Lance crashed during qualifying of the Singapore GP. He got out of the car unaided and was taken to the medical centre for a precautionary assessment.
Lance was cleared by the on-site medical team and returned to the team at track. The AMF1 Team pay tribute to the ongoing work of the FIA and the safety measures of current F1 cars.
Lance crashed during qualifying of the Singapore GP.
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 16, 2023
He got out of the car unaided and was taken to the medical centre for a precautionary assessment. Lance was cleared by the on-site medical team and returned to the team at track.
The AMF1 Team pay tribute to the ongoing…
“I’m okay. When I saw my lap wasn’t improving, I pushed really hard in the last corner to try and make up that extra time, and that’s when it went wrong. Let’s see what we can salvage tomorrow in the race.”
"I’m okay. When I saw my lap wasn’t improving, I pushed really hard in the last corner to try and make up that extra time, and that’s when it went wrong. Let’s see what we can salvage tomorrow in the race."#SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/aViW7SaEsE
— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) September 16, 2023
Images source: @F1 on X