Contract of Lance Stroll with Aston Martin in Formula 1 is extended for several years
The extension of Lance Stroll’s contract with Aston Martin in Formula 1 for several years is not surprising news in the 2025 driver market. However, this has consequences, especially as he will be racing alongside Fernando Alonso when Aston Martin partners with Honda in 2026. This partnership will also benefit from Aston’s first Formula 1 car developed in the team’s new wind tunnel.
The extension shows that Aston Martin is not concerned about Stroll’s inconsistent performance. Although he has scored 17 points compared to Alonso’s 41 points so far in 2025, it can be argued that Stroll’s performance last year cost Aston fourth place in the constructors’ championship. This year, Stroll has been trailing Alonso in the standings by about two tenths and has made three Q3 appearances compared to Alonso’s six. Although he is not on the same level as Alonso, Aston Martin is willing to have a driver who contributes significantly fewer points than his teammate, similar to Red Bull’s strategy with Sergio Perez.
Unlike Red Bull and Aston Martin, Ferrari and McLaren have strong driver line-ups for 2025, with Charles Leclerc/Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris/Oscar Piastri, respectively. It remains to be seen how this will affect the performance of Red Bull and Aston Martin.
The partnership between Alonso and Stroll has been extremely harmonious, with Alonso praising Stroll’s dedication and commitment to the team. Alonso even expects Stroll to lead the team when he leaves. This positive relationship eliminates any potential rivalry between the drivers for supremacy within the team.
There have been speculations that Stroll could continue racing for Aston Martin in the World Endurance Championship in 2025 if he was replaced in the Formula 1 team or wanted a smaller racing schedule. However, with the extension of his long-term contract, this possibility is no longer under discussion. Stroll’s commitment to the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, which has heavily invested to compete at the front, is attractive to him.
The chances of Yuki Tsunoda joining the Honda factory team, which Aston Martin will become in 2026, were already small, and Stroll’s extension further diminishes his hopes. Tsunoda’s connections with Honda were exaggerated, and nationality was not a determining factor in the decision of the driver lineup. Tsunoda’s best chance to be on the track in 2026 will likely remain within the Red Bull family.
With Stroll’s extension, Alonso will remain unchallenged as the main driver for Aston Martin in the next two seasons. This eliminates the intra-team battle for supremacy that drivers like Norris, Leclerc, and Russell will face in 2025. If Aston Martin performs well in 2026, Alonso will likely be the one who benefits the most from this situation.
Stroll’s extension also means that there will be no surprises for drivers without contracts for the next year. For example, if Aston Martin had focused on Carlos Sainz, they could have offered a better case than Audi, Williams, and Alpine. Now, Sainz’s options are confirmed among these teams, and other free agents like Valtteri Bottas will have to choose from what remains after Sainz’s decision.
© 2024
The world of sports is full of excitement and fierce competition. This year, we saw some of the world’s best athletes shine in their respective disciplines. From the Olympics to soccer championships, sports have been a constant source of entertainment for fans around the world.
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In summary, the world of sports in 2024 was filled with exciting moments and fierce competitions. The athletes shone and the fans were moved by their performances. Sports continues to be a source of entertainment and inspiration for people around the world.
