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Williams defend Lance Stroll after teenager's tough start to F1 career

Claire Williams backs Canadian rookie but admits "the pressure is going to increase" if he doesn't start to produce results

Lance Stroll retains the full support of his team but must put less pressure on himself after a difficult introduction to Formula 1, according to Claire Williams.

The Canadian rookie, 18, has struggled next to experienced Williams team-mate Felipe Massa so far this season, and has yet to score a point in his first five races.

But the Grove outfit's deputy team principal told Sky Sports F1 that the 2016 Formula 3 champion has all the tools to deliver, claiming the teenager "needs a bit of space" as he looks to bounce back.

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"I think it's really hard to make that step up from any junior formula," Williams said ahead of Spanish GP qualifying. "People can really underestimate that, and the pressure that these guys put themselves under.

"He needs a bit of space, a bit of head room, just to be able to go out and do what I think we all know he's fully capable of doing. Once he has that pressure eased off him a bit I think he'll go great guns."

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Natalie Pinkham is joined by leading F1 journalist Peter Windsor and Sky F1's Marc Priestley to review the Spanish Grand Prix

Stroll's tough start is by no means unexpected given his lack of experience, but it is his failure to compete with Massa that has been most illuminating.

As well as scoring 18 points, the Brazilian, who came out of retirement to return in 2017, has made it into Q3 in every qualifying session this year. Stroll, on the other hand, has been knocked out in Q1 twice, out-qualified by an average of 0.9 seconds by his veteran team-mate.

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But Williams insists this is a great learning curve for Stroll, who has plenty of help to call on within the team.

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"As you can imagine, Felipe is a great team-mate for someone like Lance whose just starting his career," she explained. "He's got all that experience under his belt and I think he's relishing that opportunity.

"For Lance, it's just taking things easy. He's a young 18-year-old who puts a lot of pressure on himself. He needs to step back and listen to all the experience that has around him in this team. We've been racing for 40 years, we know how to do this and we know how to nurture young talent.

Stroll v Massa in 2017

Lance Stroll Felipe Massa
Points 0 18
Qualifying positions 19, 10, 12, 12, 18 7, 6, 8, 5, 9
Race positions DNF, DNF, DNF, 11, 16 6, 14, 6, 9, 13

"I don't think anyone needs to worry quite yet about Lance. He's proving he's more than capable and more than deserving of a seat in Formula 1."

It doesn't get any easier for Stroll as he prepares for the city streets of Monaco. With little experience of one of the most unforgiving circuits on the F1 calendar, this could be his toughest test to date.

"Of course, as time goes on, if he doesn't deliver the pressure is going to increase," Williams added. "But I think he'll get some momentum behind him.

"Lance is a pretty determined young character and he's got the character within him to push through it and make it."

Don't miss the Monaco GP live on Sky Sports F1 on May 28 - lights out for the race is at 1pm. Check out all the ways to watch F1 on Sky Sports for subscribers and non-subscribers - including a NOW TV day pass for £6.99!

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