Fernando Alonso says that Lawrence Stroll’s hope to see his two Aston Martin cars on the podium in Montreal is an “aggressive target”.
Alonso has scored five podiums in the opening seven rounds this year, enjoying a dream start to life at the Aston Martin squad.
But the Silverstone-based team endured a difficult outing last time out at the Spanish Grand Prix, with Lance Stroll and Alonso crossing the line in sixth and seventh respectively.
Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, the home event for team owner Lawrence and his son Lance, Stroll Snr told Reuters that he hoped to see his son become the first Canadian on the podium in Montreal since Jacques Villeneuve in 1997.
“Those are exactly the plans. Hopefully get two cars on the podium,” he said.
“I’m extremely confident. I believe the car will be very strong around the Montreal circuit, it suits our car well… so I’m really looking forward to going home and really looking forward to a great race.”
While Alonso is confident that Montreal will suit Aston Martin’s car better than Barcelona, he admits that it is a high bar to set for the weekend.
“You never know. But it is an aggressive target for the weekend,” Alonso said.
“But we know Lawrence, the ambition of his is super high, always. We will try to make him happy and proud in his home grand prix.”
Alonso is a race-winner at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, prevailing over Michael Schumacher at the 2006 edition of the race.
Providing his thoughts on what it takes to be fast around the track, the two-time World Champion said: “You need to have confidence in the car, it is the same as a street circuit.
“You get very close to the walls and you need to ride the kerbs as well aggressively. It is a very bumpy circuit, weather normally plays a factor here as it will do again this weekend.
“Getting some experience is always good, [it’s my] 17th or 18th Canadian Grand Prix. So that will always help.”
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