“We cannot do it without him,” Fernando Alonso, concerned over Lance Stroll missing the 2023 F1 pre-season testing
The two time world champion joined Aston Martin replacing Sebastian Vettel.
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Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll. Images via Twitter
Fernando Alonso, the new Aston Martin driver, is concerned about his teammate, Lance Stroll, missing the Formula One pre-season testing. Stroll could not participate in the testing as he got injured while training in Spain. The Canadian had a bicycle accident. The team is expecting the driver to recover quickly and get on with his duties.
Due to his teammate’s absence, Alonso had two days of testing. Felipe Drugovich, the reserve driver for the team, helped them out, taking Stroll’s place. The pre-season testing is all about gathering data, and the drivers’ inputs are valuable to the team. With Stroll missing and Alonso’s first time with Aston Martin, the latter was worried. There are also some whispers going around that Stroll might miss the season opener, and Sebastian Vettel might fill in for him.
“I think we miss him because of some of my comments, and my feelings with the car, we never know if it’s just me in a new team and a new car,” stated the two-time world champion. “It’s just maybe an Aston Martin thing that Lance could spot. So a brake pedal feeling, power steering, all these things, I don’t know if this is a legacy from the team or if it’s just new in this car”
Fernando Alonso hopes that his teammate will come back soon
“So yeah, we cannot do it without him and I hope he can come very soon,” said the Spaniard during the F1TV broadcast. It is easy to comprehend why Alonso would want his teammate with him. Stroll’s feedbacks are essential to the team and would help them make necessary changes if required.
Despite the circumstances, Aston Martin did quite well during the 3-day testing. So much so that there is speculation that they are the most improved team on the grid, and their rivals are watching them keenly. Other teams on the grid are threatened by their pace. On the third day of the pre-season testing, Alonso admitted they had good laps, and it was useful to them. He completed 80 laps in the last session.
Lance Stroll is entering his seventh year with the team. And it is no doubt that the 24-year-old is here to stay. The team is owned by his father, Lawrence Stroll, who is also a good friend of Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard has a multi-year contract with the team and hopes to take them forward. The team is tightly packed, with everyone familiar with each other, and they are clear-minded about their goals. It won’t be long before their true pace is revealed, as the Bahrain Grand Prix is just around the corner.
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Justin P Joy
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