F1 News: Lance Stroll Fights Back At Naysayers - "Don't Support Me"

Lance has had enough with the fans that don't think he deserves the seat.

Lance Stroll, the Canadian Formula 1 driver who drives for Aston Martin, has expressed his belief that he does not receive the credit he deserves for his career in the sport. Stroll's background and the label of a "pay-driver" has contributed to a group of people who fail to acknowledge his accomplishments.

Throughout his career, Stroll has faced scrutiny due to the financial support provided by his father, Lawrence Stroll, who played a significant role in financing his junior career and eventually acquiring the Racing Point team, now known as Aston Martin. Currently entering his fifth season with the team, Stroll finds himself partnered with Fernando Alonso for the first time in 2023.

Despite notable milestones, such as securing pole position in challenging conditions in Turkey in 2020 and achieving three podium finishes, Stroll feels that his critics remain unrelenting due to his background.

When asked if he considers himself an "underrated" driver, the 24-year-old draws motivation from his internal assessment of his performance. Stroll is fully aware of when he has done the best job possible and is self-critical when he falls short.

"I think I've definitely had good results, been on pole, finished on the podium, I've been in the points a lot," Stroll stated in an interview with Sky Sports F1.

"I think naturally there's a big group of people that, because of my background, where I come from, kind of don't support me or don't give me the credit that I'm due."

Acknowledging the presence of negativity, Stroll has learned to focus on positive energy and surround himself with it. He recognizes his own achievements and remains unaffected by the opinions of others.

"For me, there's no better feeling than putting it together on a Saturday and delivering on a Sunday," Stroll emphasised. "That's what keeps me going, and that's what keeps me out there racing."

Bernie Collins, former strategy director at Aston Martin, echoes Stroll's sentiment, asserting that the Canadian driver has not received the recognition he deserves in Formula 1. 

“I think he’s been judged a bit harshly,” Collins told press at Baku. “One of the problems has been the drivers he’s been racing against have always been underrated as well.

“So, when he was doing so well against Checo, maybe Checo wasn’t given the strength that he should be and now [he is] at Red Bull.

“Lance works really hard. He’s always in there going through the data on a Sunday morning, he would spend a lot of time with the strategists understanding what the plan for the strategy was, what we were aiming to do at the weekend and contributed in his own way what he felt from the tyres.

“So, I think he has been harshly judged and over time with the experience, the knowledge he gained from Sebastian and what I’m sure he’s gaining now with Alonso, he’s really coming on as a driver. I think we’re starting to see that this year.”