F1 fans furious with Lance Stroll over ‘useless’ comment to Aston Martin race engineer

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Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll endured a difficult weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Stroll had to retire in the closing stages with a mechanical issue.

The Canadian wasn’t in contention for points, instead running towards the back of the field. Stroll had made contact with the RB of Yuki Tsunoda on the opening lap, causing significant damage to his competitor.

He could only manage 13th in qualifying, while teammate Fernando Alonso scored an impressive P7. Stroll levelled the qualifying head-to-head with the two-time world champion at the British Grand Prix in July, but has lost out on five straight Saturdays since.

He’s also failed to score a point in the last four events either side of the summer break. Alonso has brought home 13 in that time, including eight in Baku after the late crash between Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz.

With seven races remaining, Stroll is trying to hold onto a top-10 spot in the championship. He’s two clear of Nico Hulkenberg (24 vs 22), but Alonso in ninth has scored more than double the points (58).

Aston Martin confirmed in June that Stroll had extended his contract ahead of its expiry at the end of the year. His father Lawrence owns the team, which has suppressed any talk of a driver change.

F1 fans slam Lance Stroll after he tells engineer his feedback is ‘useless’

During the first practice session in Baku, Stroll’s race engineer Andrew Vizard pointed out that he was losing time in the first sector. But he was met with a blunt response from the 25-year-old.

Vizard said: “So Lance, just looking across cars it’s really sector one, so it’s…”

Stroll interrupted: “Yeah, braking turn one too late. Or too early turn two. All the things.”

Vizard then replied: “Yeah, exits one and two. Braking turn three a little bit as well. But you are the same except for two and three.”

Speaking over his engineer, Stroll said: “Useless feedback.”

This exchange was featured in a compilation of the best Azerbaijan GP radios on the official F1 channel. And a number of fans expressed their disapproval in the comments.

@xboxtest4226 called Stroll’s attitude ‘outrageous’ and @cesraw thought his comments were ‘crazy’. @banko-xv4rt quipped that he ‘talks to his team like his dad owns it’.

@tfolmer1234 mocked the three-time podium finisher, saying that he needed a ‘nap’. @Grapplingwithphysics said they couldn’t ‘imagine’ working with Stroll, with @geraldo209 observing that he treats his engineer like ‘his own private employee’.

What Adrian Newey thinks of Lance Stroll before Aston Martin move

Stroll will have the opportunity to work with one of the greatest designers in F1 history from next year. Aston Martin unveiled their new signing Adrian Newey last week ahead of his departure from Red Bull.

F1 expert Peter Windsor says Newey must have talks with Stroll, rather than gravitating towards Alonso. If he only listens to the veteran, then it will take the car in a direction his teammate may not be comfortable with.

Newey says he admires Stroll after what he saw from him in the junior categories. He recalls that he was dominant up against his son Harrison in F3.

It’s feasible that the former Williams ace will be driving championship-worthy machinery within a few years. But he’s yet to prove that he’s good enough to make the most of it.