Despite Aston Martin’s impressive performance in the 2023 F1 season, both of their drivers have not been contributing equally. Fernando Alonso has been exceptional. However, Lance Stroll has failed to make a mark.
Furthermore, he had a hard time trying to score decent points during Grand Prix weekends. In a championship where teams rely on both drivers to perform well, Stroll has not been able to match his teammate’s level of performance.
Ben Anderson’s Take on Lance Stroll
Ben Anderson is a former opponent of Strolls in the 2014 Florida Winter Series. Also, he is the current Group F1 Editor at The Race, and has questioned Stroll’s place on the team.
Anderson wonders if the 24-year-old truly deserves his seat without the sponsorship of his billionaire father. Currently, Stroll is in 8th place in the driver’s championship with 37 points, while Fernando Alonso, driving the same car, is in 3rd place with 117 points and six podium finishes.
Anderson argues that Stroll lacks the technical understanding and ability to push the car’s development forward. He believes that Stroll is a hindrance to the team. Also, he thinks that Stroll does not have the qualities needed to justify his seat alongside Alonso.
Ed Straw and Valentin Khorounzhiy Also Side with Anderson
Opinion makers such as Edd Straw and Valentin Khorounzhiy also agree with Anderson’s assessment. Furthermore, they say that Stroll is not providing the necessary technical understanding to the team. This is similar to how Mark Webber and Valtteri Bottas did with Red Bull and Mercedes, respectively.
Stroll is Still a Pretty Good Driver
Despite the criticism, Anderson and the panel, cannot deny that Stroll is a pretty good driver. He has given strong performances in the midfield for Aston Martin. People think that Stroll is having a hard time matching the elite level of Alonso. Furthermore, he lacks confidence in the AMR23 car.
Conclusion
In the end, fans are eagerly waiting for the time when Stroll will be able to elevate his performance and meet the expectations set for him. It will also be interesting to see whether Lawrence Stroll, Lance’s father and team owner, decides to replace his son amidst the media scrutiny surrounding Stroll’s performance.
Also read: Antonio Serravalle is Makings Things Smooth To Be in The Formula 1
