Ex-F1 driver claims ‘unreal’ Lance Stroll ‘faster’ than Fernando Alonso on some corners

Lance Stroll is on a rolling contract with Aston Martin owing to his father's ownership of the team.

Ex-F1 driver claims ‘unreal’ Lance Stroll ‘faster’ than Fernando Alonso on some corners

Lance Stroll with Fernando Alonso and Pedro de la Rosa, via IMAGO

The driver pair at Aston Martin has been criticized for the past few years. Specifically, Lance Stroll is often thrown under the bus for his lack of results while being teammates with Sebastian Vettel and now Fernando Alonso. However, the team’s ambassador, Pedro de la Rosa, stated the Canadian is much faster than his world-champion teammate around some corners.

Lance Stroll made his debut in 2017 with Williams. The youngster was then claimed to be world champion material as he had secured his maiden podium around the chaotic race in Azerbaijan. Soon, he was transferred to his father’s team and was expected to be the team leader there. However, this expectation has so far not been met in his career with Racing Point/Aston Martin.

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In contrast, recently Stroll has been able to outqualify his teammate for two weekends in a row, breaking the prejudice associated with him. Observing his stellar qualifying laps, Pedro de la Rosa asserted that the Canadian has unreal potential in him.

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He's just unreal how much potential he has. When you compare him against Fernando[Alonso], there are corners where Lance[Stroll] is quicker. He's learning a lot with Fernando, they work together very well, and it's just a matter of time before we see the best Lance and a big explosion of talent. The moment he puts everything together, he will be outstanding.
Pedro de la Rosa said in an interview with RacingNews365

The Spaniard began comparing him to Fernando Alonso and concluded that Stroll was quicker than Alonso around some corners. He further stated that this driver pairing works extremely well together, and it’s just a matter of time before the 25-year-old strings together the perfect lap and creates an explosion in the paddock with his performances.

Pedro de la Rosa reveals the only factor holding Lance Stroll back

The 53-year-old has vast experience behind F1 machinery and is known to be a mentor for young drivers. Owing to his expertise, De la Rosa elucidated the factor holding back Stroll from becoming the faster of the two at Aston Martin.

Lance Stroll, via IMAGO
Lance Stroll, via IMAGO

The Spaniard revealed that any F1 driver needs to feel motivated and how psychological aspects affect performance.

A podium can transform you on a psychological level, the same thing happened to Alonso a year ago with the podium in Bahrain. After that result it seemed that Fernando was walking on the waters. Even a guy like Fernando needs that extra confidence.
Pedro de la Rosa said in an interview with RacingNews365

De la Rosa explained that a short boost in motivation like getting on top of the podium aids a driver. Subsequently, if Stroll could secure a podium during any race throughout the current season, then he could find some hidden performance in himself.

Despite the Spanish driver claiming that Stroll only needs to finish on the podium, Aston Martin is currently way behind the leading pack. Thus, a podium cannot be expected by the Canadian racing driver in the upcoming races, but would eagerly want one to prove his critics wrong after he clashed with Daniel Ricciardo around Shanghai.

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