The US Grand Prix has been a challenging race for Lance Stroll, the teammate of Fernando Alonso, in recent years. Despite his initial promise and strong performances earlier in the season, Stroll has faced a series of setbacks and disappointments, leaving him struggling to keep up with his more experienced teammate.
Today we will take a closer look at Stroll’s struggles at the US Grand Prix and the factors contributing to his difficulties.
The Downfall of Aston Martin
Aston Martin’s decline in the second half of the season has further highlighted Stroll’s struggles. He has been consistently eliminated in the Q1 qualifying session, without exception, in the last seven races. Even on a Saturday when Alonso lost three positions in the first lap, Stroll was unable to finish ahead of the two-time world champion.
The lack of grip and the constant battle to keep the AMR-23 on track have made for a frustrating season for Stroll and his team. Aston Martin’s performance has fallen even below that of AlphaTauri, raising questions about the effectiveness of their aerodynamic upgrades in Texas.
The Sprint Race Incident
During the sprint race in Austin, Stroll’s troubles reached a boiling point. Just two laps before the end of the race, Stroll radioed Aston Martin with a concise message: “I need to come into the pits. No brakes.” Only a minute before, the Canadian driver had already conceded his position to Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso, as he was unable to maintain the performance of his medium tires.
Alonso, aware of Stroll’s tire degradation, asked about the order of finish and the situation of his teammate as soon as he crossed the finish line in 13th place. Once again, Stroll was left empty-handed.
A Precarious Situation
Stroll’s struggles at the US Grand Prix have put his chances of reaching the checkered flag in jeopardy. Aston Martin’s inability to find the right setup for their cars has been a major factor in their poor performance. As a result, the team may consider changing their setups, breaking the seal of the parc fermé regulations.
However, this could further compromise the performance of the AMR-23. Alonso, aware of the situation, expressed his preference for learning more about the car with a new setup rather than simply completing the race. Stroll’s explanations, on the other hand, have been more confusing, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering about the team’s strategy.
A Repeated Pattern
Stroll’s struggles at the US Grand Prix are not isolated incidents. Since that rainy Saturday in Spa at the end of July, where Stroll faced a string of misfortunes, his luck has not improved. From finishing last in Monza and suffering a significant crash in Singapore to being eliminated in Q2 in Suzuka and experiencing multiple retirements due to technical issues, Stroll’s season has been filled with disappointment.
In Austin, he will start second to last, ahead of only Logan Sargeant, whose future at Williams seems uncertain. Despite Stroll’s challenging season, his position at Aston Martin may be secure, thanks to the backing of his father, Lawrence Stroll.
A Season Filled with Misfortunes
Lance Stroll’s season has been plagued by a series of misfortunes and setbacks. Following his recovery from two broken wrists, sustained during a bicycle accident, Stroll has struggled to adapt to the AMR-23 car. With only 47 points in 17 races, he is 146 points behind his teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Stroll’s father, Lawrence Stroll, a billionaire and owner of Aston Martin, has supported his son throughout the challenging season. However, the team’s poor performance raises questions about their ability to compete at the highest level.
Evaluating Performance and Points
The team principal of Aston Martin, Mike Krack, has defended Stroll’s performance by emphasizing the difference in points rather than performance. However, the statistics paint a different picture, with Stroll consistently trailing Alonso in qualifying and finishing an average of 4.7 positions behind him in the races they both completed.
Stroll himself has acknowledged Alonso’s ability to overcome the limitations of the car, attributing it to his unique driving style. Despite his struggles, Stroll remains determined to improve and contribute to the team’s success.
The Incident with Henry Howe
Following a frustrating race in Qatar, where Stroll threw his steering wheel in frustration, he confronted his personal trainer, Henry Howe, in the garage. The incident was captured on television, raising questions about the relationship between Stroll and his support team.
While Stroll was only admonished by the FIA in writing, compared to Max Verstappen’s punishment for a similar incident in Interlagos, tensions within the team have become more apparent. Stroll’s response to questions about the incident during a press conference was brief and evasive, reflecting his overall demeanor in recent months.
Looking Ahead
Despite the challenges faced by Lance Stroll at the US Grand Prix and throughout the season, there is still hope for improvement. With the support of his team and the backing of his father, Stroll has the opportunity to overcome his difficulties and demonstrate his true potential. The US Grand Prix serves as another opportunity for Stroll to showcase his skills and contribute to Aston Martin’s success. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Stroll and his ability to turn his fortunes around.
Conclusion
Lance Stroll’s struggles at the US Grand Prix and throughout the season have been a source of frustration for both the driver and the Aston Martin team. Despite promising performances earlier in the season, Stroll has faced a series of setbacks and difficulties, leaving him trailing his teammate Fernando Alonso.
The challenges faced by Aston Martin and the need to find the right setup for their cars have further compounded Stroll’s struggles. However, with the support of his team and the backing of his father, Stroll has the opportunity to overcome his difficulties and demonstrate his true potential.
US Grand Prix presents another chance for Stroll to showcase his skills and contribute to Aston Martin’s success. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether Stroll can turn his fortunes around and regain his competitive form.