F1oversteer.com

Nobody at Aston Martin ‘dares’ to say one thing about Lance Stroll to his father Lawrence

Lance Stroll produced a rather anonymous season for Aston Martin in 2024. But while his father Lawrence is in charge, he’s safe from any real scrutiny.

The younger Stroll finished 13th in the drivers’ standings, just about in the bottom half of what was eventually a 24-driver pack. He scored just 24 points, around a third of what teammate Fernando Alonso managed (70).

After 12 races, the two drivers were locked at six apiece in their qualifying head-to-head. Alonso was 22 points ahead, but it was still a respectable showing against a two-time world champion.

However, Alonso would proceed to outqualify Stroll for every single Grand Prix before season’s end. While he added 25 points to his tally, the Canadian failed to score at all in the second half of the year.

DRIVER 2024 TEAM 2025 TEAM RACES SINCE LAST PTS
Lance Stroll Aston Martin Aston Martin 12
Alex Albon Williams Williams 7
Liam Lawson RB TBC 3
Esteban Ocon Alpine Haas 2
Yuki Tsunoda RB TBC 2
Only drivers on a scoreless streak of two or more races have been included

It has somewhat slipped under the radar – like Stroll generally – but among the drivers who have retained their seat for 2025, he’s on the longest scoreless run. Second-place Alex Albon is only on seven.

Still, Aston Martin announced earlier this year that Stroll would remain with the team for the foreseeable future after signing a multi-year contract extension. He joined in 2019, when they were still known as Racing Point, following investment from his father.

Aston Martin staff are afraid Lawrence Stroll the hard truth about Lance Stroll

From 2026, Aston will be one of the most desirable destinations on the grid. Legendary designer Adrian Newey will take the lead on their concept, while Mercedes engine mastermind Andy Cowell will head up their exclusive engine partnership with Honda.

They could be a race winner or even a championship contender following the new regulation changes. But Stroll has shown little so far in his career to suggest he can compete with F1’s best drivers.

However, his father continues to ‘dream’ that he will win a title. According to Auto Motor und Sport’s Michael Schmidt, he’d sooner walk away from the sport than abandon those hopes.

Lance Stroll of Canada and Aston Martin F1 team outside the FIA garage after the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8, 20...
Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

As such, nobody at Silverstone is brave enough to be honest about his limitations. The team owner has developed a fearsome reputation – Stroll ‘got pretty loud’ behind the scenes at Aston Martin after one upgrade package failed this year.

“Stroll senior would never continue if he could not live his dream that his son will one day become world champion,” Schmidt said on the Formel Schmidt podcast. “Nobody dares to tell him that it will never happen.”

How Lance Stroll made Fernando Alonso look like Max Verstappen in 2024

Many in the F1 paddock have questioned Stroll’s motivation levels. There’s a feeling that he’s only competing in the sport to fulfil familial wishes.

Indeed, Guenther Steiner doubts that Stroll wants to be in F1. He’s scored three podiums in his 167 races so far but the last of those came in 2020.

Stroll received preferential treatment from his teams on his ascent up the junior ladder, infuriating rival George Russell. But he won’t get that luxury alongside Alonso.

Alonso ‘practically’ matched Max Verstappen this year in terms of his contribution to the team’s points haul (74.4% and 74.2%). While it’s a badge of honour for the Spaniard, it should be a source of shame for Stroll.

Related Posts

Source

Leave feedback about this

  • Quality
  • Price
  • Service

PROS

+
Add Field

CONS

+
Add Field
Choose Image
Choose Video