Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya predicted that Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll will leave the team alongside Fernando Alonso if the car does not improve.
Fernando Alonso’s contract with Aston Martin is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season. On the other hand, Lance Stroll has a multi-year contract. In his contract extension, it was stated that the contract would extend through 2025 and beyond, leaving the end date open-ended.
While it is believed that both drivers could stay in the sport for a few more seasons, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya does not see Stroll staying long-term.
“Stroll will leave if the car doesn’t improve,” Montoya said, according to F1Maximaal.
“If the car is not better next year, I think Aston Martin will have two free seats [in 2028].”
‘Aston Martin without Stroll is going to happen’
Aston Martin has spent the season struggling. After Adrian Newey joined the team, their future seemed bright. However, the team have been facing an uphill battle all season. From poor starts and technical issues to several retirements, the journey has not been easy for them.
“Everyone hopes that Adrian Newey and Honda will make sure that the car is good. Stroll has been driving in Formula 1 for many years now. If he really doesn’t see that the situation is going to get better, how much longer does he want to keep doing this?”
“Sooner or later, an Aston Martin without Lance Stroll is going to happen. Maybe next year, maybe the year after that.”
Stroll has yet to secure a single point in 2026, and teammate Alonso has only one point. Stroll’s brightest moment was seen at the Hungaroring, where the Canadian finished P13, his highest finish of the season.
“But as I said,” Montoya continued, “I think that race in Hungary has breathed new life into them.
“It was kind of like they were suddenly like, ‘Hey, wait a minute, this is starting to get interesting again’.”
If the team manage to pull itself out of the rut, it would be possible to see both drivers continue. However, if they stay at the very back of the grid, chances are neither will deem it worth continuing.
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