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Lance Stroll is not the most popular driver on the Formula 1 grid, and David Croft has spoken to his father, Lawrence Stroll, about how the public perceives him.
The Canadian driver is entering his 10th season in F1. Driving for Aston Martin, who his father owns, he has not scored a podium for the team and finished 16th in the standings in 2025, with just 33 points.
Many people have questioned whether Stroll deserves a seat in F1 and if he still wants to be in the sport at all. His demeanour during interviews gives off the idea that he is uninterested.
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Stroll ’embarrassed’ Aston Martin’s PR team in Monza last year, as he gave one-word answers after the race before walking away. That was not an isolated incident either, as Stroll walked out mid-interview at Zandvoort.
Stroll is one of the hardest drivers to interview on the grid, and it does little to help the public perception of him. Croft has had this exact conversation with him and his father.
David Croft has told Lawrence Stroll that Lance Stroll ‘doesn’t help himself’ with his public image
It is commonly said that the real Lance Stroll is different to what he gives off in the media. Croft discussed this during pre-season testing in Bahrain on Sky Sports F1 (18/2, 1:05 pm), saying that he has told the Canadian that he ‘doesn’t help himself’.
“I think that there’s a public perception of Lance and then there’s the real Lance, and they are very different,” he said.
“And, look, sometimes, and I’ve said this to him as well, and to his Dad, he doesn’t help himself by not being very open with the media and giving people a chance to get to know him as it were.”
Anthony Davidson then added: “You can say the same for every driver, they’re all different. Some you might think laugh and joke too much, someone like Daniel Ricciardo in the past, for example.
“But you get him in his motorhome and looking at the data and working with the engineers and the pressure that the guy feels, the passion that he goes about his work, or went about his work when he was a driver.
“It’s not that, in many ways, that façade that you see on the outside, and it’s sometimes, or quite often, a defensive mechanism for a driver.”
“I think he’s quite a shy person, to be fair,” said Croft. “And when you do take the time to get to know him, he’s a very engaging person. We both have had many a conversation with Lance over the years.”
READ MORE: Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Lance Stroll’s prospects for 2026 don’t look good after Aston Martin testing woes
With the new regulations in F1, it is hoped that Aston Martin could turn a corner with Adrian Newey and Honda leading the project. With Lawrence Stroll’s heavy investment, many expected Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso to battle towards the front.
But pre-season testing has painted a different picture, as Stroll said Aston Martin were four seconds off the pace during the first test in Bahrain. On day one of the second official test, he lost drive and beached his AMR26 in the gravel at turn 11.
How worried are you about Aston Martin after Lance Stroll’s BRUTAL comments?
Honda’s engine is costing Aston Martin 1.5s per lap in testing, with the Japanese manufacturer being significantly behind the curve with the new regulations.
Bernie Collins says Aston Martin are the slowest car in testing, giving Newey more work to do ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.
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