Flash start for Stroll and Aston Martin

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Despite preparation marred by a bicycle accident, Quebecer Lance Stroll started the 2023 Formula 1 season on the right foot, Saturday in Bahrain.

The driver of Aston Martin, who often struggled to reach the third session of qualifying (Q3) last year, will start eighth in the first event of the calendar.

Stroll gave a time of 1 min 30.836 s . in Q3, allowing him to slot between Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Alpine Renault's Esteban Ocon on the grid.

In addition, the Montrealer revealed more about the extent of the injuries he suffered when he fell off his bike two weeks earlier.

In addition to injuring his wrists, he also fractured a toe.

“I was discharged from hospital a week ago, Stroll confirmed to Sky Sports F1. I couldn't move my hands, I couldn't walk, and I broke my toe. I thought the light at the end of the tunnel was very far away.

“I am just very grateful to be here [in Bahrain]. It's thanks to my physio, the doctor who treated me in Spain and everyone who helped me that I can be back in the car today [Saturday].”

Saturday was not just a good day for Stroll at Aston Martin. His teammate, veteran Fernando Alonso, will start fifth in a time of 1:30.336.

Defending champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull sidekick Sergio Perez will start respectively first and second. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) took third place in qualifying.