Lance Stroll is recharged and is preparing for the new Formula 1 season. Aston Martin has presented the AMR24 and so we can look ahead to the test days in Bahrain. There is a positive mood at Stroll, despite the fact that the British racing team collapsed in terms of results last year. Still, the Canadian thinks there are enough starting points to build on.
“I have been given a few months off to recharge,” Stroll begins in conversation with Formula1.com. ‘I also spent a lot of time in the gym to stay fit and healthy and to work on my neck. That’s always a good thing to do, otherwise it kind of sucks when you get into the car for the first time. I’ve had a good winter break and I’m ready to start racing again.’
Eighth season for Stroll
Stroll is already preparing for his eighth season in Formula 1. ‘It almost feels like ten years now that I am reminded of it. Time flies. It’s hard to believe, but I think I’m getting old. I have gained a lot of experience over the years. But racing is racing and it doesn’t matter how much experience you have. Every weekend has its own unique challenges and that is part of Formula 1.’
Aston Martin seems to be undergoing an evolution for the coming season, Stroll also knows. ‘The plan is to build on last year’s car and improve some of its weaknesses. On some tracks we were really good, but we also had really difficult moments. We want to build on our strengths and improve our weaknesses.”
Last year Stroll did not have an easy year, partly due to an accident with his bicycle. ‘We had some very strong weekends last year, but also a lot of bad luck. We were in many positions to fight for podium places, but then again we had engine or wing failure. But we certainly want to build on last year and be stronger this year.’
Podium places
Stroll sets the goal of achieving podium places. ‘I think that was feasible at the beginning of last year. I think we’ve learned a lot about development over the course of the year. We certainly didn’t develop as well as some of our competitors during the year. I think we started stronger than they did.’
At the start of the previous season, Aston Martin was in much better shape. ‘We were stronger than Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren. But some of those teams became stronger than us over the course of the year. So I think we learned a lot. We just want to build on last year and become a real leader again. We were back there by the end of the year.”
