Lance Stroll heaped praise on Williams after it “nailed” its Italian Grand Prix weekend, resulting in a return to the points.
Williams has endured a dismal 2018 campaign with its recalcitrant FW41 but displayed relatively stronger pace at Monza, with Stroll capturing its first Q3 appearance of the campaign.
Stroll rounded out the top 10, with team-mate Sergey Sirotkin close behind in 11th, and both were promoted in the wake of Romain Grosjean’s exclusion, giving Sirotkin his maiden point.
It ended a barren run that had stretched to nine Grands Prix and marked its first double points finish since last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
“I hoped we would score points but I didn’t really expect it,” said Stroll.
“We had good pace, were following [Carlos] Sainz the whole race, even catching him towards the end.
“I’m happy with the job we did all weekend. “We nailed qualifying, nailed the race, I think it was a perfect weekend.”
The result increased Williams’ meagre points tally from four to seven and Stroll expressed optimism that it can score again at the next event in Singapore.
“Singapore is going to be challenging realistically but maybe we’ll show up there and be better than expected,” he said.
“I’m going to stay positive, last year we had poor qualifying pace but from 18th came through and finished eighth.
“It’s one of those tracks where carnage can happen, always opportunities, a bit of rain like last year – you never know – will go there and hope to nail it again. Go big or go home!”
Sirotkin’s result ensured that all 20 drivers have scored a point this season.#
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