Bernie Ecclestone had reservations about Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll right from the start

Follow us on Google Discover

Lawrence Stroll’s earliest attempts to impress the former F1 Supremo did not go down well, with Bernie Ecclestone being wary of the Canadian business mogul.

Stroll is now coming up on eight years since his venture into Formula 1, as he purchased the controlling share of the then-defunct Force India team, rebranding it into Racing Point.

A Canadian fashion tycoon who made his money working with brands like Michael Kors, Lawrence Stroll purchased the team in order to help his son, Lance Stroll, achieve his Formula 1 dreams.

When do you think Aston Martin will complete their first Grand Prix this season?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Stroll’s investment in Aston Martin in 2020 led to the team rebranding under the same umbrella. But over the years, Stroll hasn’t been able to turn his massive financial resources into tangible success.

Some were initially sceptical of the Montreal native’s intentions, including former Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone.

READ MORE: Lawrence Stroll green-lit Aston Martin reshuffle after ‘disgusted’ Adrian Newey urged him

Bernie Ecclestone was ‘not impressed’ in early encounters with Lawrence Stroll

According to Jonathan McEvoy of the Daily Mail, Lawrence Stroll had been attempting to connect with and form a relationship with Bernie Ecclestone years before he ever purchased a Formula 1 team.

Despite his attempts to woo Ecclestone at the Canadian Grand Prix, the former F1 ‘Supremo’ never took a liking to Stroll. And it appears that it hasn’t changed to this day.

“Lawrence Stroll, the now Aston owner, aged 66, used to hang around years ago at the Canadian Grand Prix, in his native Montreal, trying to gain access to Bernie Ecclestone and his nexus when the old ringmaster still ruled the roost.”

“Ecclestone, I know, was not too impressed by the overbearing fashion tycoon and remains unconvinced by his ‘charms’ to this day.”

This could explain why Stroll’s venture into Formula 1 only came about a year after Ecclestone sold the Formula One Group to Liberty Media in 2017.

READ MORE: Lawrence Stroll has already overspent on Aston Martin’s F1 project by ‘a factor of five or six’

Have Aston Martin already ‘completely ruined’ their relationship with Honda?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Lawrence Stroll yet to win over staunchest critics

With this context, some of Bernie Ecclestone’s comments about Lawrence Stroll make a lot more sense, as the negative undertone becomes clearer.

Ecclestone warned Stroll he couldn’t buy an F1 title, suggesting that he sees his venture into the sport as an attempt to throw money at his goals.

While these comments won’t go down well with Stroll, he will be more focused on addressing Aston Martin’s current issues.

Stroll must help Aston Martin’s image, as many decisions under his stewardship have put them at the back of the grid this season. By no means will it be a short process for the Canadian billionaire.