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Lawrence Stroll: "Private COTA test didn't aid Stroll's podium charge"

Published on 26 Jun 2017 11:07
4
By: Fergal Walsh

Lance Stroll's father Lawrence doesn't believe that a private test in the US last week was a factor in determining the outcome of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 18-year-old Stroll claimed his first ever podium finish on Sunday, crossing the line in third place.

It was revealed during the weekend that Stroll had travelled to the Circuit of the Americas for a private test following the Canadian Grand Prix, where he scored his first ever points. During the test, he worked on set-ups in the FW36, a car he knows well from private tests in 2016.

"To be honest, I don't think the test helped at all," Stroll senior said. "It had also been planned for nine months. I think it's just time that has helped Lance. Every race, every lap that he turns, is a step forward. There are no real tests in formula one, so every Grand Prix is a test for him. It has never been so difficult for a rookie than this year, with these tyres and these cars."

A dream come through

Stroll became the youngest ever rookie podium finisher, surpassing the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Kevin Magnussen. He is also the first Canadian to take a place on top of the podium since the 2001 German Grand Prix, when world champion Jacques Villeneuve took third place.

"I’m just lost for words right now," Stroll said after the race. "It was such a hectic race and so much happened, but the team kept me cool on the radio, the pace was good, we took it to the end and stayed out of trouble. I can’t quite believe what’s just happened.

"We just lost out to Valtteri at the end there in one of the closest finishes of all time going side-by-side across the finish line. Coming into this weekend I never thought I would be standing on the podium. It’s an amazing feeling and, for me, a dream come true.

"However, what happened today was a team effort and I can’t thank everyone enough for making this happen. I am just so sorry that I could not celebrate with Felipe, as that would have been the icing on the cake. I am sure without his problems he would have been up there with me."

Fergal Walsh

f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804

Amazing drive from stroll, showed so much maturity and speed

1
Jun 26 2017 - 11:18

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Kevin Magnussen Lance Stroll

Replies (4)

Kevin

Posts: 5,301
No, the chaotic race and poor drivers in front of him, helped him charge towards the podium. All three on the podium were lucky. No skill involved.

Great race though.
- + 0
- Jun 26 2017 - 11:16
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  No skill? Looking at how chaotic the race was, I'd say it took quite a lot of skill to get to where they ended up. And both Bottas and Ricciardo didnt exactly go trouble free through this race, they had to claw their way from the bottom back to the top. That aint a piece of cake, accidents or not.
  + 0
  
  Jun 26 2017 - 17:20
- Kevin
  
  Posts: 5,301
  Stroll did not overtake anyone to get on the podium. Ricciardo only had 1 good restart after having been destroyed completely by Verstappen all weekend. Suddenly he was driving on P1..
  
  Bottas created one big mess at the start of the GP. Getting back to the top 5 in that Mercedes isn't that big of an accomplishment. And when the entire top 5 makes stupid mistakes in front of you, falling back behond, I don't think it was a good drive from Bottas to get on the podium.
  
  Three lucky guys on the podium. Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't mean they drove well.. Even Taki Inoue would have finished on the podium yesterday. He'd possibly have won the race ;)
  + 0
  
  Jun 26 2017 - 19:50
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
Amazing drive from stroll, showed so much maturity and speed
- + 1
- Jun 26 2017 - 11:18