Guenther Steiner, the former team boss of Haas, recently shared his opinion on Lance Stroll’s Formula 1 career, specifically commenting on the Canadian driver’s performance during the Brazilian Grand Prix. Steiner suggested that if Lawrence Stroll, Lance’s father, did not own Aston Martin, his son would not be in F1. This is not because Stroll is a poor driver, but because Steiner believes Lance doesn’t actually want to race in F1. Steiner’s harsh assessment came after a particularly disastrous weekend for Stroll at the Brazilian GP, where a series of errors highlighted his struggles on track.
Stroll’s weekend in Brazil was filled with misfortunes. He had a significant crash during qualifying, one of five drivers to hit the barrier on a wet track. His team managed to repair his car in time for the race, and he started from 10th on the grid. However, things went from bad to worse when he spun off the track during the formation lap and got stuck in the gravel. Steiner described the situation as a “brain fart” moment, indicating that Stroll’s poor performance was a result of him panicking under pressure and failing to regain control of the situation.
Steiner also suggested that Stroll’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for the sport is evident. He pointed out that Stroll never seems happy, regardless of his performance, and speculated that this dissatisfaction might explain why Stroll doesn’t give his all when the car isn’t competitive enough for podium finishes. Steiner emphasized that while Stroll might not be a bad driver, he seems indifferent to achieving results or improving. He hinted that if Stroll wasn’t part of the Aston Martin team, he likely wouldn’t be involved in F1 at all.
In the past, other figures in the F1 world, such as former champion Jacques Villeneuve, have questioned Stroll’s commitment to the sport. Despite this, Stroll has consistently maintained that he loves F1 and is committed to continuing his racing career. He has joked about the possibility of quitting and pursuing other interests, such as tennis, but has always stated that racing is his true passion. He reassured the media that his focus remains on racing and he wants to keep being a part of the Aston Martin team in the future.
Looking ahead, Lance Stroll will continue with Aston Martin in the 2025 season, alongside the experienced Fernando Alonso. Despite the criticisms and doubts about his passion for the sport, Stroll remains firmly planted in F1, with his future at the team secured. Whether or not his performance improves or if he can prove his critics wrong remains to be seen, but for now, he remains a fixture in the sport.
