27 journalists all did the same thing before Lance Stroll’s Mexican Grand Prix press conference

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Lance Stroll is perhaps the most monosyllabic driver on the Formula 1 grid. Clearly, the journalists in the Mexican Grand Prix paddock are aware of that.

Even Aston Martin’s Enrico Cardile compared Stroll to Kimi Raikkonen, who was famously brief with the media. Perhaps as the Canadian sees it, he’s simply there to drive.

One former colleague said Stroll sees racing as a ‘job’ rather than a ‘calling’, which may explain his lack of enthusiasm in the paddock.

Stroll started the 2025 season well, but he hasn’t scored a point in any of the last four races. Though he’s only one place behind Fernando Alonso in the championship, he’s been whitewashed by the Spaniard in the intra-team qualifying battle.

Aston Martin motorhome emptied before Lance Stroll interview

According to a report from German publication Bild, there were 35 media representatives in attendance for Fernando Alonso’s press conference on Thursday. It’s no surprise that the grid’s most experienced driver commands so much attention.

Alonso is a two-time world champion, so it’s natural that his pre-race comments draw more ears than Stroll’s. The latter has finished on the podium three times during his career but hasn’t won a race.

It was still noteworthy, though, that as many as 27 journalists left Aston Martin hospitality when Alonso had finished. That left just eight remaining for Stroll’s session.

The packed media-day schedule forces media members to prioritise, and it’s possible that they didn’t expect Stroll to be particularly forthcoming. Indeed, when asked by one of those who remained whether he stays off social media after crashing with another driver, he simply replied with an ‘indistinct grumble’.

Stroll earned a five-place grid penalty for the US GP after hitting Esteban Ocon during the Sprint race.

Lance Stroll nearly left Formula 1 at the end of 2023

Aston Martin were embarrassed by Stroll after one trip to the media pen in Italy when he completely refused to engage.

Some feel his demeanour is indicative of a lack of motivation to race in F1. His father, Lawrence, owns the team, which protects him from some internal scrutiny.

Equally, it should be remembered that Stroll fought extremely hard to return for the start of the 2023 season after breaking both of his wrists in a cycling accident.

However, Felipe Drugovich says Stroll was close to quitting F1 at the end of that season. He ultimately decided to stay and signed a new contract in 2024 that still has just over a year left to run.