Lance Stroll has little love for racing in Formula 1, multiple paddock insiders say. Stroll is about to enter his seventh season with the Aston Martin team, owned by his father Lawrence.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner reckons Stroll ‘doesn’t want’ to be an F1 driver. He observed that the Canadian driver ‘never looks happy’.
Aston Martin’s Mike Krack called Steiner’s comments ‘very unfair’. He insists that Stroll has the same appetite for racing as his competitors.
That may be true, but being an F1 driver isn’t just about racing. Former F1TV presenter Will Buxton says Stroll ‘hates’ his media duties, more so than anyone else in the pit lane.
The 26-year-old has largely underwhelmed alongside high-calibre teammates like Sergio Perez, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Last season, he was outscored 70-24 and only beat Alonso six times in the qualifying and the race.
Naturally, his father’s position protects him. But one theory is that Stroll could continue racing in another series, potentially with Aston Martin backing, and open up a vacancy at the Silverstone outfit.
Lance Stroll conducts rally test – it could be his route out of Formula 1
Speedcafe report that Stroll recently tested a Rally2 car in Fafe, Portugal. The World Rally Championship will stop there in the middle of May.
There’s ‘speculation’ too that Stroll sampled rallying multiple times last season. He recently signed a contract extension at Aston Martin, but this now appears to be his likeliest route of F1, should he wish to remain in motorsport.
Stroll is only 26 years old, far from the customary F1 retirement age. It is worth remembering, though, that he became the second-youngest driver ever when he made his debut in 2017, which means he’ll be approaching 200 race starts by the end of this season.
He’ll have to walk away of his own volition, with his seat otherwise guaranteed. But perhaps that’s not out of the question given his evident interest in the dirt track.
What new Aston Martin hire Adrian Newey really thinks of Lance Stroll
Adrian Newey may privately be pleased if Stroll walks away from F1. The legendary designer is about to start work as the team’s managing technical partner after leaving Red Bull.
Newey doesn’t think Stroll is good enough and has told colleagues as much. Of course, he’s unlikely to say that to the owner given the backlash it could trigger.
- READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Lawrence Stroll’s dream is for his son to win the championship, and none of his colleagues will dare to tell him that’s unlikely. Still, his exit would solve a potential driver headache.
Aston Martin are interested in Max Verstappen but don’t have an obvious opening. Two-time world champion Alonso is under contract until the end of 2026 and continues to operate at the elite level.
