Alonso: Stroll is my f@cking hero and my driver of the day

Not only did he make it into the race, history shows that thanks to his heroics and a competitive Aston Martin AMR23 he finished sixth in Bahrain, after qualifying eighth with less than a couple of hours seat time in his 2023 car.

In the post, Stroll revealed that he suffered fractures to both wrists, one to his hands, and one to his right big toe just 12 days before the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season in Bahrain.

After a couple of weeks of widespread speculation about his fall and recovery, Stroll set the record straight, providing detailed insight into the incident and aftermath: "I want to take a moment today to reflect on the last couple weeks and share my story with you guys."

"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. My whole world was just crumbling in front of me."

Stroll continued: "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.

"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 percent. 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 program 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!" concluded Stroll.

It was a grand weekend for Aston Martin, finally with a competitive car Stroll was able and motivated to perform as he did. Fully fit, in the other Aston, newcomer to the tam Fernando Alonso stunned on a night he was given Driver of the Day for his own heroics on track.

Although, the pair almost collided and appeared to make contact early in the race, but the bullet-proof Green car took it on the chin, their drivers going on to shine bright on the night.

While Alonso took the accolades for Driver of the Day, after celebrrating third on the podium, the Spaniard declared: "Lance is my fucking hero and my driver of the day.

On the day, already Aston Martin scored half the points they managed to get on the board last year (55) after 22 races, and also looked the only team capable of challenging runaway winners Red Bull and their one-two pairing of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

Final word to Stroll on his gutsy drive to sixth: "Pain, pushing through pain... we had a great car and I was just thinking about the points and I knew we were in a really good position.

"So, I just kind of took it corner by corner pushed through the pain and um yeah brought it home... Such a great day for the team third and sixth, tons of points, really happy," added Stroll.