Bernie Ecclestone warns Lawrence Stroll that Ferrari prove you ‘can’t buy’ the F1 title

Follow us on Google Discover

Bernie Ecclestone feels “sorry” for Lawrence Stroll after Aston Martin’s miserable pre-season, as Ferrari’s 18-year F1 title drought proves you cannot “buy” a championship.

Stroll has invested a fortune in Aston Martin since he first took over the Force India team in October 2018 for £90m. The Canadian initially renamed the Silverstone crew as Racing Point before rebranding the outfit as Aston Martin in 2021, after investing in the British car brand.

Aston Martin also opened a new three-building factory in July 2023 at a cost of £200m, with the aim of making the start of the 2026 F1 regulations era the start of their time as a leading force. But pre-season testing suggests that Aston Martin are set to start 2026 in last place.

Even with design guru Adrian Newey onboard and a factory Honda engine deal, Bahrain was a miserable proving ground for Aston Martin and the AMR26. The paddock left the two tests convinced that Aston Martin’s 2026 Honda engine is overweight and clearly underpowered.

Aston Martin are currently facing a 38kph deficit to Ferrari’s engine! Do you think they’ll even QUALIFY for the Australian Grand Prix?!

Let us know in the comments below!

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Bernie Ecclestone feels ‘sorry’ for Lawrence Stroll after Aston Martin’s dire start to 2026

Former F1 supremo Ecclestone likens Aston Martin’s early struggles with the AMR26, which seldom produced many laps in Bahrain owing to Honda’s reliability problems, to Ferrari and their 18-year wait to win the F1 drivers’ championship again, despite their raft of resources.

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin F1 Team from team lineage to factory

Ferrari have not won an F1 drivers’ title since Kimi Raikkonen sealed his sole crown in 2007, which marked the Scuderia’s record-extending 15th championship triumph so far. The pride of Italy have not even won a constructors’ title since they secured their record 16th in 2008.

Ecclestone told Blick: “The fact that there’s always a missing piece in the title puzzle is best illustrated by Ferrari. They’ve been searching for the missing pieces for almost 20 years, despite having the best prerequisites, drivers and the necessary money.

“You can’t buy the Formula 1 world championship title. If everything doesn’t come together, you will spend your whole life chasing that big success. That’s why I feel sorry for Lawrence Stroll.”

Ferrari are on course to match their longest F1 drivers’ title drought in history in 2028

Ferrari set the fastest overall lap time at both pre-season tests for the first time since 2019!

What do you believe is possible for Ferrari in 2026?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Ferrari are by far the most successful F1 team in history, helped somewhat by being the only team on the grid in every year since the championship started in 1950. The Maranello outfit lead McLaren for drivers’ titles with 15 playing 13 and constructors’ titles with 16 playing 10.

Yet despite Ferrari being the world’s most valuable car brand, the F1 division in Maranello is still seeking to end the longest constructors’ title drought in their history so far. By failing to win a teams’ title since 2008, Ferrari’s current run eclipses their drought from 1983 to 1999.

The pride of Italy also enter 2026 edging ever closer to matching their longest-ever drivers’ title drought. Ferrari are on course to match their 21-year drivers’ title drought from 1979 through to 2000 in 2028, having last lifted a championship crown in 2007 with Raikkonen.