Because we are in Montreal, and because it rained – and it will rain again – eyes naturally turn to Lance Stroll and Aston Martin. The team, however, has not offered anything very appetizing to Formula 1 fans since the start of the season. To the point that, when it comes to green single-seaters, what will happen in 2025 seems to get more attention than what is happening on the track these days.
The team’s setbacks are documented. After a fantastic start to the campaign last year, the return to reality was brutal. Several times in recent days, Stroll has indicated that a good weekend at Aston Martin now comes down to “small points” in the standings. One, sometimes two. It could be worse, but not that much.
This championship hasn’t gotten off to a bad start for Alonso, who scored points in his first six races. However, at Imola and Monaco, it was even more painful for him (19e11e) than for his teammate (9e14e).
Within the team, we are talking about constant adjustments and a still young season, in which there are still 15 races left, including Montreal. And we feed ourselves with hope, even optimism.
“I think we are in a better position than last year,” Alonso said Thursday during a press scrum. It’s hard to translate it into [points], because we are no longer close to the podium, but we are fully aware of the situation, the needs of the car and what is going well or not in the development. Gray areas from last year are now white or black. »
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Lance Stroll
As a team, we have learned a lot over the last 18 months.
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin driver
In particular, “what looks good on paper” is not necessarily good once on the track. The Montrealer evokes changes in “philosophy”, in “mentality”, particularly on the aerodynamic level, which will ultimately bear fruit.
Because we have no illusions at Aston Martin. The car developed for 2024 is “hard to drive,” team leader Mike Krack agreed on Friday.
The adjustments made, he believes, will allow riders to further maximize the “potential” of their mount. “They will be able to drive with more confidence,” said the manager. It’s not something that can be resolved in two races, but we try to get there as quickly as possible. »
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Fernando Alonso, last Thursday
The team is still young, recalls Alonso. This is, in fact, only his fourth season on the circuit. “Two years ago, we were a team of 300 people; today there are more than 900 of us, he stressed. It’s a bit unfair to compare us to Ferrari or Mercedes, long-established teams. »
“We have several infrastructure projects in progress,” said Mike Krack. For example, last fall the organization opened a state-of-the-art factory in Silverstone, United Kingdom. The pieces of the puzzle are slowly coming together.
“We have a foundation on which to build. The results will come,” he predicted.
Blur for Stroll
If the future of the team attracts attention, it is nothing compared to the future of its drivers. That of one more than that of the other, in fact.
The case of Fernando Alonso has been settled for a few weeks, since he signed a contract which will bind him to the team until 2026. It could well be his last contract in F1, he himself admitted.
It’s less clear when it comes to Lance Stroll. The details of his association with the team not having been made public, there remains a vagueness about his status, which observers, serious or not, of the industry delight in.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack
Mike Krack did not really help to put an end to the conjectures by limiting himself to talking about the “good exchanges” between the rider and his employer. “Aston Martin is Lance’s home,” he continued. Soon, we believe that we will be able to communicate positive things. »
During a press briefing hosted by the FIA, the host provided Stroll with the perfect opportunity to discuss his long-term commitment to the team his father owns.
“That’s where my head is, that’s for sure,” replied the runner, tersely, before noting that it had been a “popular question” for some time. He added to the “exciting” projects at Silverstone, but never confirmed, by name, that he would be on the starting grid in 2025.
Later in the day, during a casual discussion, a reporter bluntly asked him if he would see himself doing “something other than car racing”, a barely veiled reference to the rumor heard earlier this season. , according to which he would bow out at the end of 2024.
“I have small plans,” he replied. Other sports fascinate me – skiing in winter, golf… But at the moment I’m focusing on F1. »
The same reporter followed him up by asking him if he was interested in fashion, an industry that made his father Lawrence’s fortune. “Not as much as racing right now,” Stroll insisted.
“Right now…” his interlocutor repeated as the press briefing ended.
The discussion was closed… for now. Because the rumors don’t seem to be about to stop.