Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll.
Although Lance Stroll stopped short of saying he would definitely be an Aston Martin driver next season, he is “definitely committed” to the project and “excited” to be a part of it.
Last season, Aston Martin achieved their most successful Formula 1 season to date by partnering with double World Champion Fernando Alonso. However, all eight of their podium finishes were solely attributed to Alonso’s remarkable performance.
Lance Stroll: That’s where my head’s at
Additional reporting by Sam Cooper
The Spaniard destroyed Lance Stroll in every stat that matters, most notably in the Drivers’ standings where he scored 206 points to the Canadian’s 74.
As the pressure and criticism escalated, Stroll’s behavior at the Qatar Grand Prix took an unfortunate turn when he not only pushed his trainer but also exhibited somewhat brusque responses to the media.
In 2024, it seems that a similar trend is emerging, albeit with fewer points and less aggression. Alonso has accumulated 33 points, while Stroll has managed to secure only 11 points.
However, despite team principal Mike Krack’s clear emphasis on the centrality of Stroll to the entire project, doubts persist regarding the Canadian’s true desire to remain in Formula 1.
He responded to the media, including PlanetF1.com, by stating, “It’s truly incredible to witness the immense progress our team has made over the past five years. As a collective, we have evolved significantly since our days in pink.”
“We are currently constructing a highly thrilling wind tunnel and have recently relocated to an extraordinary facility in Silverstone. With these crucial elements falling into place, all the pieces of this puzzle are aligning perfectly.”
This project is incredibly exciting due to the addition of both experienced individuals who have been serving for many years and a plethora of new talented people who have joined or are in the process of joining.
“So, in my opinion, you know, I am definitely here for the future. That’s the focus of my thoughts.”
When asked about his commitment, he confidently stated, “Absolutely, I am fully dedicated to this entire project.”
As I mentioned before, our team has experienced significant growth over the past few years. In 2019, we had a workforce of around 350 to 400 individuals, but now we are rapidly approaching a staff count of 1000. The transformation at Silverstone from 18 months ago is truly remarkable.
“Yes, I am without a doubt fully dedicated and enthusiastic about being involved in this project.”
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Stroll is widely regarded as the most secure driver on the grid, surpassing even Max Verstappen in terms of stability. This is largely attributed to the fact that his father, Lawrence, is the owner of the Aston Martin team.
When questioned about whether he still had to perform in his current position, he confidently replied, “I am the most competitive individual I have ever come across. I am driven to excel and consistently deliver outstanding performances.”
“It’s a great feeling, even in challenging times. Last weekend, gaining a few points was truly enjoyable, and I still relish that experience.”
For the past seven to eight years that I’ve been in Formula One, I’ve consistently been my own toughest critic on days when things don’t go well. However, I remain just as enthusiastic and thrilled as ever when I have a fantastic day.
The desire to persist and continue is still being fueled by that emotion within me. Like everyone else in this paddock, I detest experiencing challenging days.
Being part of this journey and project at Silverstone is a team effort that I find enjoyable, witnessing all these elements come together.
“During the previous year, we had an impressive start to the season, representing a significant leap forward for our team. However, we experienced a slight decline afterwards. Despite facing greater challenges this year, I remain optimistic and enthusiastic, fueled by the abundance of positivity and excitement that surrounds us.”
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