Lance Stroll could lose Aston Martin seat to 850-point F1 driver based on rumour ‘circulating in the paddock’

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Lance Stroll is under contract at Aston Martin until the end of next year. But there is some lingering uncertainty over his future.

The Canadian missed the Spanish GP at the start of the month through injury. That sparked speculation that Aston Martin were creating an ‘excuse’ to drop Stroll.

Senior team staff have consistently stood by him in interviews. Most importantly, team owner Lawrence Stroll is the 26-year-old’s father.

But there are concerns over the driver’s behaviour, as well as his results. David Croft says Stroll broke a helmet in rage during a meltdown in the garage in Barcelona.

It should be said that he’s scored 14 of Aston Martin’s 22 points, outscoring teammate Fernando Alonso. But that statistic is partly misleading given that Alonso leads Stroll 16-2 in competitive sessions (when both finish).

George Russell could take Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin seat for 2026

According to a report from MARCA, there’s a rumour ‘circulating in the paddock’ that Aston Martin could let Stroll go at the end of the year. This would clearly be a ruthless call, but could improve the team’s chances of winning a championship under the new regulations.

#Indeed, they’re said to be targeting an F1 A-lister in George Russell. With four Grand Prix wins – the most recent in Canada last time out – in addition to six poles, 20 podiums and 850 points, he’s levels above in terms of pedigree.

Aston Martin’s interest in Russell is known as he continues to wait for a contract offer from Mercedes. He claims to have shunned any negotiations with interested parties.

But in private, Russell is ‘very interested’ in the idea of partnering Alonso should Toto Wolff elect not to renew his deal. The Silver Arrows team boss dreams of signing Max Verstappen.

What Aston Martin staff won’t say on camera about Lance Stroll

The ‘internal tensions’ around Stroll have strengthened suspicions that he could soon leave the team. Some insiders may have doubts over his level.

Indeed, it was reported last year that new managing technical partner Adrian Newey doesn’t think Stroll is good enough. He’s since defended the former Williams driver in the media.

Aston Martin staff are ‘reluctant’ to criticise Stroll given his father’s position. If he were to lose his seat this year, it would be difficult to find a spot elsewhere given the paucity of vacancies.

Russell has also had a dialogue with Christian Horner, albeit informally. He’d potentially be choosing between Red Bull and Aston if Wolff pulls off the Verstappen move.