Lance Stroll: Chinese GP point possible with more proactive strategy

Lance Stroll believes a point was within his grasp at the Chinese Grand Prix had Racing Point adopted a more proactive strategy.

Stroll started his Racing Point career in the points-paying positions after surging to ninth in Australia, but has not added to the tally since, with his chances in Bahrain derailed by first lap contact.

Stroll dropped out in Q1 – the seventh straight race at which he has done so – and raced to 12th position, running a Medium/Hard/Soft strategy.

“We were in front of [Alexander] Albon before the first stop and then he undercut us by one lap and finished in the points, so it’s a bit of a shame,” said Stroll.

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“We could have been more proactive, because we didn’t have anyone immediately in front of us.

“I think it was Sergio [Perez] or [Kimi] Raikkonen ahead at the time, about five seconds up the road, so we weren’t really fighting anyone in front and we had Albon three seconds behind.

“It was just a classic undercut. It’s disappointing, because once that happened we were in his dirty air and it was tough to overtake.

“We tried an extra stop at the end and got past Magnussen to finish P12, but it could have been more.

“Our race pace was not bad but we just need to look at the strategy, because I think we may have been able to pick up a point.”

Racing Point team-mate Perez scored points courtesy of eighth, with his primary gains coming courtesy of a strong start.

“This was never going to be our strongest track so it’s important to take opportunities such as we have and keep scoring points,” said Perez.

“I think we have the potential to be stronger at the next race in Baku.”