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Analysis | Stroll family's dilemma: 'I'm aiming for points in Spain'

Analysis | Stroll family's dilemma: 'I'm aiming for points in Spain'

31-05-2023 06:30 Last update: 09:16
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Ludo van Denderen

Also in Monaco, the difference between the two Aston Martin drivers was immense. While Fernando Alonso picked up his fifth trophy of the season, Lance Stroll was showered and ready to speak to the press. Aston Martin are taking giant steps towards the top in all areas, only thier second driver - 'coincidentally' the son of the major shareholder - is lagging far behind.

When the puissant rich Lawrence Stroll made his entrance into Formula 1, he did so first and foremost for his son Lance. Stroll shook his moneybag, the Williams team eagerly accepted the millions and put junior in one of his cars. That Stroll was not a super-talent hardly mattered. In the fight for survival, dollars were simply more important.

Fallen for Stroll's plans

Once at Williams, Lawrence developed a desire to own his own F1 team, which, moreover, competed for prizes. The story is well known: he bought the ailing Racing Point, changed the name to Aston Martin F1 and persuaded key technical people from the top teams to join the project. After previously Sebastian Vettel fell for the billionaire's vision, Fernando Alonso did so this year. For now, it is a success story. The Aston Martin is faster than Ferrari and Mercedes, and the engine deal with Honda marks the next step towards the absolute top in Formula 1.

Only son Lance - who naturally made the switch from Williams to Aston Martin - can't keep up. For Aston Martin's huge aspirations, this year's disappointing performance could have drastic consequences. Whereas Alonso already captured 97 points, Stroll remained stuck on 27 for now. Although the English team have the second-best car on the grid, their second position in the constructors' standings is nevertheless under intense pressure. Mercedes - who do have two top drivers but an inferior car - are just one point behind Aston Martin (120 versus 119).

Red Bull Racing gave the example

Aston Martin is currently experiencing the same problem that Red Bull Racing had for years: without a decent second, one top driver can never structurally win and compete for the championship, just as the team will then never have a serious chance of winning the constructors' title. The best comparison can be made with the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. The latter was not good enough to beat Hamilton on a weekly basis, but the Finn did manage to stay close to him (which allowed Mercedes to spread the strategy and often put Max Verstappen in the wringer). Moreover, Bottas racked up enough points to help Mercedes win the title as a team.

"I'll be aiming for a points finish at Barcelona next weekend," Stroll said in on the website from his team after the Monaco Grand Prix. From this statement, one can see how Stroll currently sees himself: a midfield warrior, no doubt aware that he is in a top car. For his part, teammate Alonso is going for a victory in his home race with the same equipment.

Lance needs to improve

As the son of the owner, Lance does not have to worry about his place with the team this season. Still, his son Lawrence Stroll's current performance should cause some headaches. Especially when there will soon be a Honda engine in the back of the Aston Martin, he cannot afford to have a driver there who does not have the qualities to function within a top team, even as a second driver.

It is up to Lance himself to prevent dad from having to make a decision at any point that will not go down well with everyone in the family.