Key Highlights
- Lance Stroll walked out of his post-session media duties for the second time since the F1 summer break.
- This occurred after qualifying P19 for the Mexico City Grand Prix, following a difficult grid-setting session at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
- Stroll expressed frustration with the team’s performance and stated that the car generally goes backwards throughout the weekend.
- The issue has affected Stroll more than his teammate Fernando Alonso but he still performs relatively well compared to others in the series.
Lance Stroll Walks Away from Post-Session Media Duties Again
Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll walked out of his post-session media duties for the second time since the F1 summer break during qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Canadian driver, who was P19 after a difficult grid-setting session at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, expressed frustration with the team’s performance and left the media pen mid-interview.
Recap of the Incident
During the qualifying session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, Stroll faced a challenging grid position. He sat out FP1 for Jak Crawford but returned to his car in the second hour of running where he was tenth-quickest. However, by the third and final practice session, he had dropped to P13, just enough to secure a place in Q2.
When questioned about the trend of the car’s performance going backwards throughout the weekend, Stroll admitted that it is something they have seen before but did not provide any specific answers. He was then asked why his weekends are progressing poorly and if the team had given him any feedback, to which he said, “maybe you should go ask them.” This prompted a back-and-forth with RacingNews365, where Stroll’s frustrations were on full display.
Historical Context
This is not the first time Stroll has walked away from his post-session media duties. Previously, at Zandvoort, he left mid-interview, stating that he would rather focus on driving and not answering questions. The situation has raised concerns about how much control Stroll feels over his performance and his relationship with the team.
Stroll has struggled in qualifying this season compared to his teammate Fernando Alonso, who has shown a more consistent pace throughout the campaign.
However, Stroll still performs well relative to other drivers in the series, currently holding 32 points against Alonso’s 37 after 19 rounds of racing.
The issue of Stroll walking out of media duties is not unique to this year. It has been a recurring problem for Stroll over several seasons, with his frustration often directed at the team’s performance and communication.
Implications and Analysis
Stroll’s behavior during post-session media duties can have significant implications on his relationship with the team and how he is perceived by fans and the media. While it is common for drivers to be frustrated, walking out of interviews can damage their image and the overall team dynamics.
The Aston Martin team has often shown strong form early in a grand prix weekend before seeing its pace fall off in qualifying. This trend has affected Stroll more than Alonso this season but still leaves him with a competitive position compared to other drivers.
Despite the challenges, Stroll’s performance remains relatively strong, as evidenced by his 32 points so far.
However, the ongoing issues with media relations and team communication could impact Stroll’s future in Formula 1. Team owners can penalize drivers for walking out of their media duties, and Stroll would be wise to address these issues proactively to maintain a positive relationship with both the team and fans.
Conclusion
The incident at Mexico City highlights ongoing tensions between Lance Stroll and his Aston Martin team. While Stroll’s performance remains competitive, addressing media relations could help improve the overall dynamic within the team and potentially enhance his career prospects in Formula 1.
