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Lance Stroll: Can Aston Martin’s Billion-Dollar Bet Pay Off?

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
January 2, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Lance Stroll: Can Aston Martin’s Billion-Dollar Bet Pay Off?

Oct 20, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team driver Lance Stroll (18) of Team Canada before the start of the 2024 Formula One US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Lance Stroll’s Formula 1 career, despite spanning 166 Grand Prix starts, continues to divide fans and pundits alike. The 29-year-old Canadian ended the 2024 season 13th in the drivers’ standings with 24 points—a stark contrast to his Aston Martin teammate Fernando Alonso, who finished ninth with 70 points despite moments of apparent disinterest in the underperforming car.

As Aston Martin gears up for a brighter future under the legendary Adrian Newey’s guidance, questions about Stroll’s capacity to rise to the challenge are louder than ever.


A Career Stuck in Neutral

Stroll’s tenure in F1 has been marked by unforced errors, inconsistency, and a lack of significant progress. While financial backing often smooths the path for some drivers, his performances have failed to win over fans or critics. The billionaire scion’s demeanor—often described as indifferent—has only fueled the criticism.

A seasoned journalist, preferring anonymity to avoid jeopardizing access, summed up the sentiment: “Lance has the best job in the world, but he never smiles or shows any gratitude for his incredible opportunity.”


Jacques Villeneuve’s Verdict: The Champion’s Perspective

1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Aston Martin’s ambitions hinge on more than just financial resources. He acknowledged the incredible investments in facilities, including a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, but emphasized that success requires more than hardware.

“Adrian Newey cannot design a car alone. He needs the driver’s input, the right driver’s input, and the right team around him,” Villeneuve said.

On Stroll’s prospects, Villeneuve was pragmatic. “The goal for Lawrence [Stroll] is to get his son to become a world champion. That’s why he’s putting so much money down. Can it happen? Who knows?”

Villeneuve also pointed to Lance’s personality as a stumbling block. “Does Lance need to improve his persona? Absolutely. Being liked drives energy from the team and mechanics, which ultimately helps you go faster. Lance needs to work on that appeal, particularly with the media.”


Johnny Herbert: A Softer Appraisal

Veteran F1 pundit Johnny Herbert offered a more forgiving perspective, attributing some of Stroll’s mistakes to the learning curve of an increasingly challenging sport.

“He is still learning,” Herbert remarked, somewhat tongue-in-cheek. “Some mistakes, like going off early in races, happen because the tyres are not up to temperature. The gravel trap incidents show how tricky it can be—without momentum, it’s like quicksand.”

Herbert also noted Stroll’s improved competitiveness against Alonso in the second half of the season, suggesting that Stroll could thrive if Aston Martin delivers a race-winning car under Newey’s guidance.

“The pressure is off him for now,” Herbert concluded.


Aston Martin’s Ambitions vs. Stroll’s Limitations

Under Lawrence Stroll’s ownership, Aston Martin has made it clear that the goal is nothing short of world championship contention. However, the glaring disparity between the team’s title-winning aspirations and Lance Stroll’s performances has become a paradox.

While the team builds a competitive future around Adrian Newey’s expertise, the question of whether Lance can transform into a world-class driver remains unresolved. For his father, the dream of seeing Lance crowned champion is as much a personal mission as it is a professional one, but the path seems increasingly improbable.


The Road Ahead

As Aston Martin pushes forward, Lance Stroll’s presence on the grid continues to be a lightning rod for debate. His 2025 campaign may well be a defining year, as the team’s investments start to bear fruit. Whether Stroll can finally step out of his father’s shadow and rise to meet the team’s ambitions remains one of Formula 1’s most compelling—and contentious—questions.

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