Stroll: Monza 2017 was a turning point for my career
- Published on 28 Aug 2018 15:48
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Lance Stroll says that the Italian Grand Prix weekend in 2017 had a major positive impact on his career. During an extremely wet qualifying session, Stroll tackled the conditions to get his car into P4 which remains his best ever qualifying result.
He would go on to start the race from second on the grid, as Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen had engine penalties. Stroll crossed the line on Sunday in sixth place, holding off veteran teammate Felipe Massa in the latter stages.
And now heading to Italy 12 months on, Stroll said: “Last year, Monza was a big turning point in my career, it really impacted on it. I have incredible memories of my front-row start and I will remember it forever. Qualifying was crazy in the rain, but I took to it like a fish to water!
The 19-year-old also commended the Italian crowd: "The atmosphere there is incredible and the passion of the tifosi is amazing. You can't ignore the history of the place and the importance of Ferrari. I am really looking forward to getting back there.”
Stroll's future is currently unclear, as the rumours in the Belgian paddock last weekend suggested that the 2016 European F3 winner could be in the Force India seat as early as this weekend's race at Monza.
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Replies (14)
Login to replyBhurt
Posts: 320
Imagine if Lawrence had just bought himself a condom. They cost basically nothing and can, apparently, save you hundreds of millions of dollars.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
That might be little harsh on the youngster. He is definitely no Lewis Hamilton, but not a Maldonado either. Let the balance between money and talent take its course.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I think Stroll came too early into F1, but he has shown flashes of brilliance. Ok maybe only a couple of times but I could see him belonging in F1. The main problem has been perception. Stroll could have probably earned his way to F1, but he was rushed to a seat. Now, we sort of forgot about this with his podium and the other solid performances like Monza. However, we're remembering again now that he's about to oust Ocon arguably a future super star, because of money.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I dunno, I wouldnt go so far as brilliance. He has had a few good performances, but nothing extraordinary. Still, I guess Im curious in how well he'll do in a better team.
richard1
Posts: 1
Hey BHURT, your comments are degrading and you are only showing your lack of class. There is only so much that you can do if you are given a pourly prepared ride. For instance what is Alonso doing this year? And Massa did not leave Lance in the dust last year. The Williams drivers are doing the best that they can with the cars that are prepared for them. So let's just wait and see what happens with the new team.
Alonzo
Posts: 66
I don't think we can really tell how good/bad he might be now, Williams has been way behind, but it now looks like he'll get a chance in a decent drive... So I guess we'll find out soon enough... Can't blame the Stroll's for what they are doing...
We'll see how he compares with PEREZ after a few races, I remember him not being that far behind Massa....
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Seeing as how it looks like Perez might be moving to McLaren, Im not sure we'll get to see Perez vs Stroll.
Alonzo
Posts: 66
Perez to McLaren? Really? When? Where? I thought Ocon was already having his seat fitted at McLaren? Haven't heard that at all....
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
The rumor came about this morning. Apparently there is quite a fight about that last McLaren seat. Mind, I find it more likely that Perez either stay or go to something like HAAS, but who knows at this rate?
Kean
Posts: 692
@alonzo according to sky sports McLaren are deciding between Perez, Ocon, Vandoorne and Norris. Also Ocon can’t move to McLaren during the current season since he is too tall for the McLaren cockpit
Bhurt
Posts: 320
@RICHARD1 - your post is incoherent and you are only showing your lack of lingustic comprehension. I was not commenting on his ability as a driver. I was commenting on the fact that his father has spent hundreds of millions of dollars buying toys for his son to play with.
I do however commend you on bemoaning the fact that Lance has had to deal with a "poorly" prepared ride. The irony of that statement is not lost on me. Kudos for that.
I also noticed you have a Canadian flag next to your name, eh. So thank you for your objective review of my post, but I do wish you had understood even a couple of words in my post before angrily jumping to the rescue of uber-curled poor Lance.
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Stroll will get a chance to prove himself and silence the critics or show if he is only in the sport because of daddy's money. It's reasonable to expect that the measure of a driver is how well he works with the team to develop the car and not just show up to drive. If you're having correlation issues as a team the driver's input is even more important.
F1_IS_Dead
Posts: 123
I think he already showed, why he is in F1. Massa (who passed his prime long time ago) was partially one second faster than him. While the Brazilian got fired, Stroll takes the seat of another, quicker driver.
This could be the beginning with other rich dads getting the same idea.
Alonzo
Posts: 66
True that Massa was faster than Stroll, but it was Stroll's first season in F1, first season at Williams while Massa had been there a while, at age 18... I find it more worrisome that Sirotkin is beating him in H2H Qualys... But looks like he is getting his chance...
I wouldn't expect much from him as far as developing the car, that's why I think they need Perez, but Perez will probably destroy him if he stays...