Will Stroll lose his cockpit? Rosberg is clear: “I don’t think Aston can afford him [anymore]. After an excellent start to the new Formula One season, Aston Martin often found themselves trailing in the final races. Lance Stroll in particular has not lived up to expectations.

Former world champion Nico Rosberg believes the Canadian will have to vacate his cockpit next year.

 

Are Lance’s days numbered?

Lance Stroll’s days at the wheel of an Aston Martin could be numbered. Rumours have been swirling around the paddock for some time about a change in the British teams’ regular seat next to Alonso.

Ex-WEC driver Richard Bradley recently suggested that Yuki Tsunoda could be the man to drive for Aston Martin in the future. Nico Rosberg also sees the Canadian’s F1 future in jeopardy.

“I’m not quite sure what’s happened to Lance Stroll because he’s a very good driver,” the 2015 world champion told Sky Sports’ F1 podcast, adding: “At the beginning of the season he showed he could keep up with Fernando. Now the prospect of staying has changed…”

 

 

“Doors closing” for Schumacher says Wolff

 

 

Rosberg suggests driver swap

“I don’t think Aston can afford to have a driver so far away from Alonso in the long term. Either Lance gets back to where he can and should be, or they have to worry about changing the second driver,” explained the former Mercedes F1 champion driver.

“Alonso also needs to be pushed. The set-up work is much better with two drivers at the front. It is a completely different dynamic, so it is very important to have two drivers who are very fast,” Rosberg continued.

Compared to his team-mate, Stroll was behind in twelve of the 14 qualifying sessions. The 24-year-old finished ahead of the Spanish veteran in only one race on Sunday. Results that make Stroll’s future with the British team, where his father is the team owner, look extremely doubtful.

 

Leclerc criticised in Ferrari post race debrief

 

 

Lance Stroll replacement for 2024

Lawrence Stroll, a self-made billionaire who climbed the corporate ladder through fierce competition, now finds himself at a crossroads. As the owner of a Formula One team, Stroll is faced with a perplexing question: should his team relentlessly pursue global recognition and championship glory, or is it more important to secure a coveted spot on motorsport’s grandest stage for his son?

Lance Stroll, Lawrence’s son, takes a seat in his father’s Formula One team. However, the youngster’s performance has raised concerns and prompted comparisons with his more experienced team-mate, Fernando Alonso. With an 11-2 deficit in qualifying battles and an average grid position five places behind Alonso, Lance’s statistics are eerily reminiscent of the likes of Alex Albon and rookie Logan Sargeant.

 

Perez confirms “looking for alternatives” to Red Bull

 

 

 

Adding to the dilemma is the fact that Nyck de Vries, who was released by AlphaTauri after just ten races, qualified an average of just two places behind Yuki Tsunoda, with a similar gap in their finishing positions.

The question for Lawrence Stroll is whether he should prioritise his Formula One team’s success on the world stage or continue to facilitate his son’s presence on the grid. Finding the right balance between business interests and motorsport aspirations is a challenge that Stroll must navigate carefully.

 

 

READ MORE: Red Bull hint at new ‘permanent driver’

 

 

 

Drugovitch’s time to step up

The young Brazilian is the reigning F2 champion and has been present at all of the F1 races with Aston Martin this year. Were Aston Martin not to promote him Ito Lance Stroll’s seat for 2024 they risk losing him given that over the past nine years each and every F2 title winner has found a seat in Formula One – except Drugovitch.

Recent paddock rumours have suggested Lance Stroll is ready to quit Formula One and pursue another avenue which is his passion. 

This of course allows his father Lawrence to save face and not be forced into sacking his son as maybe the next potential “Ayrton Senna” is given his chance in 2024 to prove his worth.

READ MORE: Norris talks about becoming Verstappen team mate

 

 

Fred always gets the last laugh 😂 🎂 #ItalianGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/X4FkAymXCF

— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) September 1, 2023