Canadian Formula 1 driver, Lance Stroll, gained the respect of many fans and his fellow competitors on the grid due to his amazing performance in qualifying and in the race despite the injuries he suffered only a few weeks before the race.

Stroll injured both of his wrists and broke his toe during a biking accident, with the wrist injuries requiring surgery. It was looking unlikely that the Canadian would be ready in time for the opening grand prix, with even his team, Aston Martin, informing the media that their young academy driver, Filipe Drugovich, would be the one to replace Stroll should he not be ready to compete.

Many, including myself, believed there was no way he would be able to return to the grid. After his extremely respectable P8 finish in qualifying, he revealed after the full extent of his injuries, which was breaking his toe and injuring both wrists. He laughed about it at the end by saying that his bike was okay and didn’t suffer any injuries.

It looked difficult in the beginning for Stroll, as he had difficulty turning the his car because it would cause too much pain to his wrists to turn the car fully.

Despite the injuries and fans across the world doubting him, he finished qualifying with P8 and would go onto the race in Bahrain and finish the race with a massive result of P6, gaining 2 positions and finishing ahead of Mercedes driver, George Russell. Stroll got 8 points for his final standing. He finished the entire season last year with 18 points, meaning he’s only 10 away from matching his total last year in only the first race.

Fans around the world applauded Stroll for his unbelievable comeback and for also putting on an enjoyable race for fans to watch. Stroll’s teammate and 2-time World Champion, Fernando Alonso, finished in the podium with a result of P3. At the end of the race, the 2 Aston Martin drivers hugged it out, with Alonso saying to Stroll, “You’re my F**king Hero.” What a weekend it was for Stroll.