Former Haas F1 Team Principal, Guenther Steiner, has taken a brutal swipe at Lance Stroll’s performances in Formula 1, questioning why the Canadian driver continues to fly under the radar despite a string of underwhelming results. In an unfiltered critique, Steiner didn’t hold back, claiming Stroll’s presence in F1 is barely noticed, and his performances are simply “non-existent.”
Steiner, known for his no-nonsense style, unleashed his thoughts during a recent episode of the Red Flag podcast. He pointed out that, despite being in his seventh season in the sport, Stroll has yet to claim a victory and rarely finishes among the top competitors. His 2024 season has been particularly disappointing, as he languishes outside the top ten in the drivers’ standings with a mere 24 points. By contrast, his teammate, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, has amassed 64 points and is often seen fighting at the front.
“Lance passes completely under the radar. It’s weird,” Steiner said, adding, “You never speak good or bad about him; he’s just non-existent.”
Steiner’s critique went deeper, targeting Stroll’s frequent crashes—highlighting his incidents at Jeddah and Spa this season—while questioning the driver’s motivation. He hinted that Stroll’s financial security, courtesy of his billionaire father and team owner Lawrence Stroll, might be affecting his drive to perform.
“Obviously, we all know he doesn’t need to drive a race car. He’s alright financially, so maybe that’s what it is,” Steiner commented. “If the car isn’t good enough to reach the podium, he’s like, ‘Yeah, I’ll just get by. Who cares? I’ll wait for next year’s car.’”
In perhaps his most cutting statement, Steiner alluded to Stroll being treated differently than other drivers, suggesting the Canadian operates “above the rules” of Formula 1, seemingly escaping both criticism and scrutiny from fans and the media alike.
“He was never young, he will never be old. He will just be there. He’s above the rules,” Steiner concluded, in a blistering take-down of the Aston Martin driver.
While Lance Stroll has managed to maintain his position in the sport, thanks in part to his father’s ownership of Aston Martin, Steiner’s pointed comments shine a harsh light on the ongoing debate about whether Stroll has earned his place on merit or if he’s simply benefiting from his family’s wealth and influence. With the sport becoming ever more competitive, Stroll’s continued invisibility on race weekends may not go unnoticed for long.
