Latest F1 driver suffers Mexico City illness as Brazil media day absence confirmed

Lance Stroll will miss Thursday's media day at Interlagos, Aston Martin has confirmed, as the Canadian continues to recover from a viral infection picked up at last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix.

Stroll finished the Mexico City round before symptoms emerged, and the team has opted to keep him away from paddock duties ahead of the São Paulo Grand Prix as a precaution. 

Fernando Alonso will step in for his team-mate in the second drivers' press conference, taking on media duties alongside his usual commitments.

In a statement, Aston Martin confirmed the situation and gave an update on Stroll's condition.

"Lance will miss media day today as he continues to recover from a viral infection contracted in Mexico," the team said.

"He is recovering well, and we are confident he will return to the paddock on Friday."

The 28-year-old is not alone in having picked up illness around the long haul between the Mexican and Brazilian rounds, a stretch of the calendar that has previously caused fatigue and health issues for drivers and team personnel alike. 

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

Aston Martin has given no indication that Stroll's participation in Friday's practice sessions is in doubt, with the team instead framing Thursday's absence as a straightforward precaution rather than a concern over his race weekend.