Lance Stroll is increasingly coming under fire as the Formula 1 community questions his performance.
In Shanghai, while discussing a collision involving Stroll's Aston Martin during a safety car period, Daniel Ricciardo was visibly agitated with the media about the rear-ending. "I slowly started to calm down and then I was told what Lance thinks of it," the frustrated Australian disclosed. "Apparently, I'm an idiot and it was my fault, so that made my blood boil because it's clear as day and it's also behind a safety car. So I'm doing my best not to say what I want to say, but f**k that guy - and I'm still being nice."
Despite being the progeny of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, 25-year-old Lance has not yet secured his spot for the 2025 season, while Fernando Alonso's contract has been renewed for two additional years.
Danish racer Jason Watt was forthright in his criticism: "Give him the sack immediately." He further commented to Ekstra Bladet that Alonso "is driving alongside the worst driver in the field, in my eyes."
Finnish driver Toni Vilander also expressed irritation with Stroll's demeanor, remarking on his indifference: "He is indifferent to the whole situation," Vilander explained on Viaplay, asserting, "There is actually nothing to discuss - totally Stroll's fault. He completely misjudged the situation because he was not awake. It would be a lot easier to get out of that situation if you said, like Kimi (Raikkonen) would, 'I crashed, sorry, my fault'."
Mike Krack, the team boss for Aston Martin, naturally defended his drivers but criticized the stewards' decisions regarding the penalties given to Stroll. "The stewards have been tough on Lance and Fernando recently," he told Sky Deutschland, lamenting, "We had it in Melbourne, we had it with Lance - a very, very quick verdict today without really understanding. I think it was very, very fast and very hard decision. That's how things are."