Lance Stroll to miss São Paulo GP media day with viral infection

Lance Stroll will miss media day ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix while recovering from a viral infection contracted in Mexico.

PlanetF1 reports that Stroll is expected to take part in Friday practice.

RacingNews365 reports that Aston Martin is keeping Stroll away from Thursday's paddock duties as a precaution.

RacingNews365 also reports that Fernando Alonso will replace Stroll in the second drivers' press conference, in addition to his usual media commitments.

“He is recovering well, and we are confident he will return to the paddock on Friday,” Aston Martin said in a team statement.

PlanetF1 reports that Charles Leclerc will also miss media duties in Brazil following the birth of his daughter earlier in the week.

Kimi Antonelli and Valtteri Bottas missed media day in Mexico City because of illness. Sergio Perez became unwell on the opening day of track action there and was ruled out of a fan event and his media commitments.

“But it's normally around this time of the year that not only drivers, but mechanics and people in the team get sick. Because your body can take a lot of stress. But at one point, of course, it also tells you when it needs a little recovery phase,” four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen said.