Lance Stroll has claimed the points gap between him and Aston Martin Formula 1 team-mate Fernando Alonso is a “little bit deceiving” compared to the head-to-head.
Alonso replaced the retiring Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin last season and imposed a comprehensive battering on Stroll, who has been with the squad since 2019.
The Spaniard capitalised on the Silverstone-based team’s improved pace to land eight podiums and 206 points, but Stroll trailed six spots and 132 points further back.
That trend has continued into the current campaign as Alonso has registered 33 points to Stroll’s 11, as Aston Martin has struggled with an unpredictable AMR24 car.
However, Stroll believes the external circumstances that can dictate points scores mean that isn’t an accurate barometer to compare his performance level to Alonso.
“He’s a two-time World Champion and people see him as a top driver in Formula 1 and it’s four-four in quali,” Stroll told The Canadian Press.
“The points are a little bit deceiving because sometimes one guy can have an engine failure. That sometimes differentiates the points at the end of the season.”
Aston Martin boss Mike Krack admitted the updates the team brought to Imola have failed to deliver the anticipated gains and made the car “more difficult to drive”.
But while Alonso was the one who crashed in FP3 and succumbed to a Q1 elimination at the Italian venue, Stroll produced an assured race to climb through to ninth.
“I look at my last few weekends, and I think they’ve been strong,” Stroll continued.
“When I look at pace right now, and speed, like I said, four-four in quali. People say he’s super-good and I beat him the last few weekends, so take it as you want.”
Stroll outlined his commitment to Aston Martin’s venture in Monaco last month and the Canadian has reiterated that he’s not interested in pursuing a move elsewhere.
“We’re on a super exciting trajectory and project as Aston Martin,” Stroll expressed.
“I’m much more excited to be part of this journey than just going to another team to say that I could be driving somewhere else.”
Speaking prior to his home race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend, Stroll, who has not been confirmed for 2025, repeated his intention to remain with Aston.
Asked whether he will remain on the grid with Aston Martin in 2025, Stroll replied “Yeah, that’s where my head’s at, for sure.
“Yeah, it’s super exciting. Everything that’s happening at Silverstone and the project with the team and how we’ve grown over the last few years. And we continue to grow.
“So it’s definitely in my mind, too, continue being a part of that, but really focused on Montréal this weekend and enjoy my home race and trying to have a good result this weekend.”
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