'Untrue' Stroll has no passion for F1 - Ocon
Aston Martin has sought to reduce the speculation surrounding the potential end of Lance Stroll’s tenure in a Formula 1 car. Reports have indicated that the reason the 26-year-old missed the Spanish GP and subsequently had another wrist surgery was related to a fit in the garage. The team has refuted this claim and will revert to a two-car operation this weekend in Montreal, after Stroll completed "some laps" in an older F1 car at Paul Ricard in recent days.
"Lance is feeling fit and healthy," confirmed the Silverstone-based team. Stroll still needs to pass a final medical examination by the FIA before he can race this weekend. Nevertheless, his injury situation has rekindled questions about his future, with many speculating that his father, team owner Lawrence Stroll, may be running out of justifications to keep his son as Fernando Alonso's teammate. George Russell and Yuki Tsunoda have both been mentioned as potential candidates for Stroll's seat in 2026.
"It’s normal for the media to speculate about the driver market," a team spokesperson stated. "However, we have an incredible lineup of drivers who are committed and under contract for 2026 and beyond." Still, Stroll's reputation as a mid-field driver and perceived lack of enthusiasm for his role in Formula 1 continues to shadow him.
"I know he doesn’t speak much," rival and friend Esteban Ocon remarked to Le Journal de Montreal ahead of Stroll’s home Canadian GP. "He opens up more to those he trusts," he added. "But he’s a really nice person. And so is his dad." Ocon noted his long-standing acquaintance with Stroll from their karting days. "People might not realize this," the Frenchman asserted, "but Lance is incredibly passionate about racing. Everything else captivates him less because what he truly enjoys is driving the car."
Ocon also countered the notion that Stroll would not be in Formula 1 without his wealthy father. "That’s not true," he contended. "Lance is someone who won international karting races against the likes of (Max) Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and myself. We all competed together, and Lance was part of that group. It’s incorrect to say that money got him there. Not at all. Sure, there might be easier routes to F1, but in the end, money doesn't drive the car."
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