Stroll's GT experience concludes in disappointment following Aston's misfortune.

      The outcome was a disappointing P48 out of 49 classified vehicles.

      Lance Stroll's attempt to rejuvenate his challenging 2026 season during the mandatory April break in Formula 1 ended in disappointment at Paul Ricard. With Aston Martin-Honda having a troubling start to the year, the Canadian seized the opportunity to make his debut in the GT World Challenge Europe, arriving with high hopes. "In Formula 1, you don’t always have the chance to win. Here, the competition is fierce, but even with our lack of experience on our first outing, winning is possible if everything goes well," Stroll stated before the six-hour race. "That opportunity isn't present in Formula 1, which is a significant motivation for me to be here."

      Competing in an Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO for Comtoyou Racing alongside Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya, Stroll appreciated the more "pure" aspect of GT racing. "For me, whether I'm in the car with my helmet on, be it here, in Formula 1, or even in karting, the mindset remains the same," he explained. "But it’s better here – with fewer media obligations, more time in the garage collaborating with the team, and simply driving and enjoying the experience."

      However, the reality was much tougher. After qualifying in P15, the race quickly deteriorated due to penalties and incidents. When Stroll took over for the final stint, the challenges increased. He was penalized for ignoring blue flags and consistently exceeding track limits, leading to over seven minutes of penalties. This resulted in a disappointing P48 out of 49 classified cars.

      The contrast between Aston Martin's struggles in Formula 1 and this experience was stark, as the team was already the slowest on the grid, facing issues with reliability and performance. Also present at Paul Ricard was Max Verstappen, not as a driver but as a team principal, overseeing his Red Bull-supported GT entry, which finished in P10. MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, also competing in the event, praised Verstappen's growing involvement in GT racing. "It’s a great pleasure to see Verstappen behind the wheel of these cars. I truly hope to drive alongside him soon, sharing a few laps together," he remarked. "GT is an expanding category, with cars that are very exciting to drive, and it retains the essence of motorsport."