Lance Stroll became the first Canadian driver to score points in a Formula 1 race since 1997 champion Jacques Villeneuve, with those points coming at his home race after he finished ninth at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday.
The 18-year-old has had a difficult start to his rookie season, first suffering several crashes during pre-season testing, before multiple incidents during the opening handful of races, mixed with reliability problems, meant had not finished inside the top 10…until this weekend.
Williams technical chief Paddy Lowe therefore described Stroll's two points as a "race win" for the Canadian and expects it will provide their driver with a confidence boost for the remainder of the season.
"A huge congratulations to Lance," said Lowe. "Given the difficult start Lance has had to his Formula 1 career, this feels like a race win to us.
"It was an incredible drive. He showed some fantastic race-craft, great overtaking and he really earned those points today. From 17th on the grid up to ninth, including a battle with a double world champion, which he took in his stride.
"I think today’s result will boost his confidence going forward and will give him some real momentum."
Stroll meanwhile said his first points at his home race – a venue he grew up just down the road from – meant the world to him.
"I am just happy for myself, for the team, for everyone," added the Canadian. "The balance of the car was good all race. I was in a flow. I knew we had good straight line speed in the Williams. I chose my overtakes at the right times, sometimes I could have done them a lap earlier, but it was a bit risky so I did it a lap later and stayed patient.
"James, my engineer, was giving me good communications throughout the whole race about what was happening around us. We just stayed cool headed and took it to the end and P9. It was about things falling into place and getting everything to work with no issues and being able to do the pace we know how to do.
"It means the world to me being able to finish a race in the points and be able to see those Canadian flags up in the air at my race."
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