The final year of the current regulations in Formula 1 has once again closed the grid up, even if McLaren appear to have an advantage over all of their rivals.
It means that more than ever the skill of all 20 drivers on the grid is being put to the test, with mistakes more likely to be punished than ever.
However, the difficult conditions in Australia and the Sprint weekend format in China have made life ever tougher for the six rookies on the grid and put further pressure on any established stars who switched teams over the winter.
Lewis Hamilton impressed during the Sprint Race in China, only for his Ferrari to be much more difficult to drive in Sunday’s Grand Prix and he and teammate Charles Leclerc were eventually disqualified for different reasons.
Carlos Sainz is having a tougher time at Williams than expected, while Liam Lawson has already been replaced by Red Bull.
However, former racing driver turned broadcaster and pundit Justin Bell has been left thoroughly impressed by one star who typically goes under the radar in the F1 paddock.
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Aston Martin star Lance Stroll is having his ‘best start’ to a Formula 1 season
Bell was talking to former F1 driver Danny Sullivan on the Drive to Wynn Podcast about the first two races of the season.
He explained: “There are races happening all the way up and throughout the field, other than Lawson at the back.
“I think there’s a lot going on even, I mean, it pains me to say it in a way, but Lance Stroll is having his best start to a season ever.
“He’s pulling off great moves, he’s running good lap times. I’m impressed.”
Two races, two points-paying results. ✅#ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/uLYoF47gy8
— Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 24, 2025
Sullivan replied and said: “Yeah, I’m glad to see that he’s had some strong results over the years, remember back at Baku and then in Montreal and so forth.
“I think he’s clearly got some talent, he’s got the speed, you can get a car under him.
“I don’t want to say he’s not focused because I don’t want to make a judgment on any of that.
“But I think he needs to be pushing hard as he’s got one of the smartest guys that’s ever driven a Formula 1 car as a teammate.”
READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Lance Stroll overshadowing Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin in 2025
Aston Martin have pinned their hopes on Fernando Alonso ever since he arrived from Alpine at the start of the 2023 season.
He scored eight podiums in that first year with the team, while Lance Stroll – who is on a reported £2.5m-a-year contract – failed to finish on the rostrum once.
However, Stroll already has 10 points this year after securing a P6 finish in Australia and ninth place in China.
| Position | Drivers’ Championship | Points |
| 1 |
Lando Norris |
44 |
| 2 |
Max Verstappen |
36 |
| 3 |
George Russell |
35 |
| 4 |
Oscar Piastri |
34 |
| 5 |
Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
22 |
| 6 |
Alexander Albon |
16 |
| 7 |
Esteban Ocon |
10 |
| 8 |
Lance Stroll |
10 |
| 9 |
Lewis Hamilton |
9 |
| 10 |
Charles Leclerc |
8 |
Meanwhile, his teammate Alonso is the only driver who is yet to finish a Grand Prix after crashing in the wet conditions in Melbourne and suffering a brake failure in Shanghai.
Onlookers saw Stroll outperforming Alonso in China, not just in terms of his result but the way he was driving Aston Martin’s car as well.
New hire Adrian Newey has been surprised by Stroll too, and after a difficult end to the 2024 season, he appears to have turned over a new leaf.
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