Lance Stroll was left 'giggling' after making his and Williams' first Q3 appearance of the 2018 season after Saturday's qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix.
The young Canadian who is widely tipped to imminently join the Force India team managed to put in a stellar performance in what has been a tough year for the Grove-based outfit, placing his FW41 in 10th place on the grid.
Due to the lack of aero reliance around the high-speed Monza layout, the Williams driver was able to exploit the maximum he could from the Mercedes power unit and push as hard as possible.
Stroll, who started on the front row at last year's race believe he is also fully aware of the challenge which faces him in the race with faster cars around him, however, he still wishes to maximise his position and battle hard.
![Aston Martin managed its first race finish of 2026 with Fernando Alonso [behind] completing the distance](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Martin-Honda-Japanese-GP-120x86.webp)
"To digest a good result like that, tonight will feel really good," said Stroll. "I will go and give my guys a hug. I was giggling inside my helmet.
"I don't think it is just the circuit, as on any track it depends on day to day. Sometimes you get in a rhythm and it just comes all together, and today that is how it went.
"We were in good shape from Q1 onwards and I just built up to it, put in a good lap in Q2 to get into Q3 and then I did what I could and tenth was my maximum"
"Tomorrow is going to be a challenging day no doubt, as we are suffering from straight-line speed and some of our competitors will be on us tomorrow, but my mindset is always the same and I am going to go for it and give it my all and whatever happens, happens."
![Aston Martin managed its first race finish of 2026 with Fernando Alonso [behind] completing the distance](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Aston-Martin-Honda-Japanese-GP-350x250.webp)
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