Following significant investment by owner Lawrence Stroll – the father of Lance Stroll – Aston Martin have their own wind tunnel and a new factory, as well as an understanding now on how to compete with the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

Competing with these four sides is exactly what Aston Martin did throughout 2023, although they still fell just short of beating any of them in the Constructors’ Championship.

Nevertheless, the Silverstone-based side are on the rise, resulting in their value also increasing.

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According to reports by The Financial Times and Reuters, Stroll’s team are now worth somewhere around the $1 billion mark – a substantial rise from the team’s days known as Force India or Racing Point.

Because of the team’s meteoric rise in value and performance, some have pondered whether Stroll will soon consider selling up, just in case Aston Martin plateau in 2024.

The number of people thinking this increased at the end of the recently completed F1 season, after it was revealed that Aston Martin were going to receive outside investment.

It’s the first time this has happened since Stroll’s consortium bought the team, increasing the speculation that the Canadian was planning his exit route.

The team’s new investors are Arctos Partners’, who are a sports-focused private equity group.

It’s based on their investment to become “minority” shareholders that Aston Martin have been valued at around $1 billion, a nice figure should Stroll want to depart.

However, it appears that departing isn’t on Stroll’s agenda, with Aston Martin’s managing director of commercial and marketing Jefferson Slack insisting that the truth of the deal is the complete “opposite” of what’s been speculated.

“Lawrence is not a seller,” Slack told The Race.

“If you had somebody that wanted to come in [and say], ‘that’s my step, I’m gonna buy this percentage, then I’m gonna buy control’ – [Stroll is the] wrong guy to talk to.”

Stroll’s consortium is still the majority shareholders of the Aston Martin F1 outfit and will remain so for the foreseeable future, as Slack revealed that the new investors “would never buy a majority” stake in the team.

READ: ‘Complete bulls**t’: Sebastian Vettel lashes out

“These guys [Arctos] would never buy a majority,” Slack said.

“They would never want to buy this, it’s not what they do. So it’s exactly the opposite.

“They are the last people you would sell to if you were trying to exit.”

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Andretti are the only team to have been accepted by the governing body; however, the final decision as to whether they’ll join the grid or not will be made by F1 themselves.

The vast majority of the teams are believed to be against Andretti’s entry, over fears that it’ll reduce the amount of money they receive from the prize fund.

Andretti’s argument is that they’ll actually bring more money to the sport, although Stroll is still certain that F1 shouldn’t expand beyond the current 10 teams.

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“If it isn’t broken, you don’t need to fix it,” Stroll said in October, as reported by Pitpass.com.

“I’m a strong believer that it’s working really well with ten teams right now, and believe that’s the way it should stay,.”

Stroll recently sold an undisclosed stake in Aston Martin to Arctos Partners, who reportedly valued the Silverstone-based outfit at £1 billion.

Stroll selling a stake in the team comes at the same time as General Motors (GM) confirming that they’re planning to become an F1 powertrain supplier from 2028, after registering with the FIA.

GM will enter the sport with Andretti from the get-go but will then power the team as well from 2028, again, should F1 give the Americans the green light.

“Our commitment to excellence will not be taken lightly as we continue planning to enter F1 as soon as possible and, in 2028, Andretti Cadillac will compete as a true American works team,” Reuss said.

“This historic partnership will accelerate the sport in the fast-growing U.S. market as well as globally,” he added.

Regardless of GM’s commitment to become a powertrain supplier, Stroll still thinks Andretti should enter F1 by buying a current team on the grid, something Audi have done.

READ: Max Verstappen told off by his father

The German manufacturer will enter F1 in 2026, by at which point they’ll have a 75 per cent stake in Sauber, who’ll become an Audi works team.

“Look what Audi have done,” Stroll told ESPN.

“Audi wanted to come in the sport and they bought a team. The right way to come in if you want to enter the NFL today, NHL hockey or any great sports franchise is that you’ve got to buy a team.

“Then it’s just a question of money, so I do believe if they want to enter they should buy a team like others have done.”

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Sources within the Formula 1 paddock, as reported by F1 Insider, have indicated that Claire-Anne Stroll is exerting pressure on her son to exit the sport, citing the numerous accidents he has been involved in this year. 

Stroll’s recent harrowing crash during qualifying at the Singapore Grand Prix, which resulted in his inability to participate in the main race due to the severity of the impact with the barrier, further heightened concerns about his safety and performance.

The report also alludes to Lawrence Stroll, who is the owner of the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, contemplating the sale of the team, citing a perceived “lack of motivation” to continue financing his son’s career. 

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While Aston Martin has officially denied this claim, rumours continue to circulate amid Stroll’s struggles behind the wheel of his AMR23.

Lance Stroll’s recent outburst in the paddock at the Qatar Grand Prix thrust him into the spotlight and sparked discussions about his emotional reactions. 

Despite the controversy, Aston Martin’s team principal, Mike Krack, has come to Stroll’s defence, acknowledging the pressure and emotions that come with underperforming.

“The thing is, you accumulate [when] delivering below your own expectations, and then frustration comes out at one point,” Krack explained to the media. 

He drew parallels to the behaviour of athletes in other sports, stating, “You take a football player that is taken off the pitch – he doesn’t want to high five the manager or he throws the jersey or he throws the water bottles, we have seen that quite a lot.”

Krack emphasised the importance of understanding and respecting the emotions of high-level athletes. 

“I think emotions are what we want from sportsmen,” he stated. “If they react, we judge them quickly – is this right? 

READ: Felipe Massa issues update on FIA ultimatum

“Is this wrong? 

“I think we need to be careful with that. 

“We want to see it because then we’ll have something to talk about.”

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Lance has endured a woeful season which started with him missing pre-season testing, after requiring surgery on two broken wrists following a cycling accident.

Whilst he was given the benefit of the doubt in the opening rounds, he’s been comfortably beaten by Fernando Alonso all season.

To put it into some context, Stroll’s best result so far this year has been his P4 at the Australian Grand Prix, an event where Alonso secured his third consecutive podium.

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Alonso has gone onto claim seven podiums in total so far this campaign, with him still having five races remaining to add to his tally.

The two-time World Champion has been responsible for a ridiculous 80% of Aston Martin’s points this season and is five points short of having scored four-times the number of points his team-mate has accumulated this year.

This has severely hurt Aston Martin in the Constructors’ Championship, as their package is good enough to be challenging for second, rather than looking set to lose fourth to McLaren this weekend at the United States Grand Prix.

To make matters worse, the 24-year-old was seen pushing his personal trainer recently at the Qatar Grand Prix, after being eliminated in Q1.

He received a formal warning from the FIA as a result, with several fans having called for the driver to be axed at the end of the season.

For Aston Martin to make progress, it does seem that either Lance needs to improve or his father needs to replace him with a better driver, although the latter looks unlikely.

Lawrence has put his son’s struggles this season down to “bad luck”, rather than “his own abilities”.

READ: Max Verstappen speaks out on clashing with his race engineer

“Lance started the year on the back foot with two broken wrists for the first half-dozen races, which was very challenging, but really did a heroic job – and he’s had an unfortunate amount of bad luck,” Stroll told Sky Sports.

“He’s had nine retirements due to engine failures, or a rear-wing fail [at the Japanese Grand Prix].

“Half of the races it hasn’t been anything to do with his own abilities, he has just had a lot of bad luck, sadly.”

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Whilst Stroll was given the benefit of the doubt in the opening rounds following his wrist surgery ahead of the season-opener in Bahrain, he has arguably cost Aston Martin massively in the Constructors’ Championship.

Points mean prizes in F1, and because of Stroll’s lack of points, Aston Martin’s cash prize is set to be less than it could’ve been.

Stroll has been responsible for just 20.4% of Aston Martin’s points in 2023 so far, with him having scored just 47 compared to Fernando Alonso’s 183.

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It’s been an embarrassing season in many ways for the Canadian, who is likely going to cost the team fourth in the standings to McLaren.

His best result this season is P4 at the Australian Grand Prix, whereas Alonso has featured on the podium seven times.

The two-time World Champion has proven that the AMR23 is good enough for consistent top-10 finishes and podiums, neither of which Stroll has delivered.

Stroll’s behaviour at the Qatar Grand Prix was also a huge problem, which for any other driver would’ve perhaps seen them dropped from the outfit.

He was seen pushing his personal trainer following a Q1 elimination, something he was later warned about by the FIA.

Stroll is by no means a bad driver but his inconsistency and weakness when under pressure will hold Aston Martin back from becoming a real championship contender, something his father perhaps needs to acknowledge to move the team forwards.

The team don’t necessarily need a second number one driver to compete with Alonso, with a stronger number two able to support the Spaniard being more than enough.

Should Stroll be sacked by his father, then the obvious replacement based on the rumours is AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda, who has very close ties to Honda.

Honda have supported Tsunoda throughout his career and are believed to be keen to take him to Aston Martin with them in 2026, when the Japanese manufacturer become the British side’s engine supplier for the new power unit regulations.

Tsunoda has improved considerably this season and has shown that he can keep his composure, allowing him to make the most of his occasional rapid pace.

The fact he’s scored points in the worst car on the grid highlights that he could finish even higher in a better car, something Aston Martin would be able to offer him.

READ: ‘We don’t want to burn him’: Toto Wolff insists Mercedes star must be looked after

Another option prior to 2026 would be reserve driver Felipe Drugovich, who is the reigning Formula 2 Champion.

His F1 experience is minimal but he did perform well during pre-season testing, where he replaced Stroll.

Drugovich is a fast driver and could potentially develop into an excellent number two to support Alonso, although he’ll need at least a season to settle into the car and into the sport.

The post Who will replace Lance Stroll in 2024 appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

In full, the Silverstone-based team are known as the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team; however, the Cognizant part of that will be dropped.

This doesn’t mean Aston Martin are parting ways with the American IT company, quite the contrary, they’re relationship is actually going to become stronger.

Aston Martin and Cognizant are entering “new phase” of their partnership, which will see the IT company removed as a title sponsor.

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Whether Saudi Arabian oil giants Aramco will become the team’s sole title sponsor is unknown, with the side’s new name to be confirmed in “early 2024”, according to an Aston Martin spokesperson.

Aston Martin’s and Cognizant’s strengthened relationship was actually announced during last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, with team owner Lawrence Stroll having released a statement.

Stroll praised their partnership which started in 2021, when the team rebranded as Aston Martin having formerly been known as Racing Point.

“Cognizant was Aston Martin’s first F1 title partner,” Stroll stated, as reported by The Mirror.

“They completely understood how a high-profile sports marketing partnership could raise their international profile, and the first phase of our relationship has succeeded spectacularly in increasing their global brand awareness.

READ: Sparks fly as Lewis Hamilton and George Russell infuriate Toto Wolff

“As we enter this new phase of our partnership, we will deepen our relationship – we see things the same way, we have the same goals, and we work together in a truly unique and innovative way… What we’re seeing from working with Cognizant, is that they can really leverage their expertise in data, analytics and machine learning to make a marked difference to our efforts as a design team to build a faster racing car and become a leaner, more efficient organisation.”

With five races still remaining, the side can’t fully focus on 2024 just yet, especially as McLaren are just 11 points behind in the fight for fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.

The Woking-based side are in terrific form currently, meaning that Aston Martin will need to end the season strongly to defend the position.

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Andretti were recently granted permission by the FIA to join F1, with it now being down to the sport itself to make the final decision on whether the American outfit become the 11th team on the grid.

Whilst they’ve received significant support from the FIA and the governing body’s president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, they’ve received nothing more than harsh words from the F1 paddock itself.

McLaren and Alpine are really the only two teams to have spoken positively about Andretti potentially joining the grid, something owner Michael Andretti has worked tirelessly to make a reality.

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The team’s owner has previously attempted to buy other teams, in a bid to join F1.

As of yet, Andretti are the only new side to be granted permission by the FIA to join the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport but as mentioned, it’s F1 who make the final decision.

Several teams are against Andretti joining F1 as it’d result in the prize fund being divided 11 ways, rather than 10.

As a result, most of the teams are concerned that they’ll receive less money should Andretti join the sport, putting them against the Americans entering.

Stroll is certain that F1 shouldn’t grant Andretti entry as the sport is in a great place, with the Canadian not seeing why it should be changed.

“I think F1, at the moment, the business is on fire,” Stroll said to Sky.

“The sport has never been in a better place. I believe if it isn’t broken, you don’t need to fix it.

READ: ‘Not as blessed’ Carlos Sainz has caused a problem for Charles Leclerc

“So, I’m a strong believer that it’s working really well with 10 teams right now. And I believe that’s the way it should stay.”

The FIA in particular are very keen for new teams to join F1, with there being room for two new teams.

It means one slot will be left available if Andretti are successful, with the Americans keen to join the series in 2025, ahead of the new power unit regulations in 2026.

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The call for Lance Stroll’s potential dismissal comes from none other than Joan Villadelprat, a seasoned former F1 mechanic, engineer, and manager. 

Villadelprat has raised concerns about the 24-year-old Canadian driver’s impact on the team’s performance in the highly competitive constructors’ championship.

While the 2023 Formula 1 season has witnessed the resurgence of Aston Martin, with two-time champion Fernando Alonso securing a series of impressive podium finishes, Lance Stroll’s lacklustre performance has cast a shadow over the team’s aspirations. 

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Alonso’s stellar showing has positioned him third overall in the drivers’ standings, contributing significantly to Aston Martin’s success this year.

In stark contrast, Lance Stroll’s struggles on the track have resulted in a dismal ninth-place standing, accumulating a staggering 123 fewer points than his illustrious teammate. 

This glaring discrepancy in their performance has led to Aston Martin slipping in the constructors’ standings, with the team now trailing behind the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.

Joan Villadelprat, a respected figure in the world of Formula 1 with years of experience, did not mince his words when assessing the situation. 

Speaking to El Confidencial newspaper, the 65-year-old Spaniard drew a striking analogy between Fernando Alonso and the renowned footballer Lionel Messi.

“Aston Martin is playing only with Messi,” Villadelprat remarked, drawing a parallel between the team’s dependence on Alonso and the iconic footballer’s role in a football squad.

 “Even Messi needs someone else behind him, but Stroll is neither seen nor heard. 

“This is massive for the constructors’ championship.”

He further elaborated on Lance Stroll’s performance, highlighting the urgency of the situation: “Although Stroll is not a phenomenon, he is among the top 10 while Fernando is among the top five. 

“But lately, Stroll has been doing a miserable job. 

“All of the team’s eggs are in the Fernando basket.”

READ: Lewis Hamilton reveals 46-year-old athlete with $300 million net worth as inspiration

Villadelprat’s candid assessment has ignited discussions within the Formula 1 community, with fans and experts alike speculating about the potential ramifications of Lawrence Stroll’s decision regarding his son’s future within the team. 

As the constructors’ championship continues to heat up, the pressure on Aston Martin to address their internal issues and ensure a more balanced performance from their drivers is greater than ever.

The coming races will undoubtedly serve as a crucial test for Lance Stroll, as he seeks to prove his worth and alleviate the concerns surrounding his role in the team. 

The post Aston Martin under pressure to fire Lance Stroll as Lionel Messi comparison is made appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

At just 24 years old, the Canadian driver is enduring a challenging season, and his struggles are becoming increasingly evident.

Currently, Stroll occupies the ninth position in the drivers’ standings with 47 points, a stark contrast to his teammate Fernando Alonso, who sits comfortably in third place with 170 points. 

Perhaps most telling is the disparity in their performance statistics. 

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Alonso has spent a mere one lap outside the top 10 this season, while Stroll has endured 276 laps outside this elite group. 

Their average grid positions reflect this gap as well, with Alonso starting at 6th on average and Stroll at 11th.

Stroll’s recent inability to score points at the Italian Grand Prix had detrimental consequences for his team, Aston Martin, which slipped to fourth place in the constructors’ championship, allowing Ferrari to move up. 

This shift in position carries significant financial implications, as teams like Aston Martin provide substantial bonuses to their staff for finishing third or higher in the constructors’ championship.

The season began on a promising note for Stroll, with notable performances, including a fourth-place finish in Australia. 

These early achievements suggested that Stroll might not be among the weakest drivers on the grid. 

However, his form has since deteriorated, likely affected by the relentless and consistent driving displayed by his teammate, Fernando Alonso. 

According to an insider close to the team, Stroll has exhibited signs of laziness, listlessness, misery, and a surly demeanour.

A recent social media clip captured Stroll departing a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association meeting, appearing introspective and downcast compared to his fellow drivers engaged in lively conversations.

The ideal solution to Stroll’s predicament would be a resurgence in form and performance. 

However, this requires a deep-seated drive and hunger, qualities that Alonso possesses in abundance. 

READ: Aston Martin employee pays the price for Fernando Alonso’s success

Whether Stroll can summon such motivation remains uncertain, as his commitment to racing may not match Alonso’s unwavering dedication.

Another option, albeit complex, would be for Stroll to step aside voluntarily, making way for a more capable driver who could potentially lead Aston Martin to greater success. 

This decision, however, may be challenging to broach with his father, Lawrence Stroll, who has provided substantial financial support for Lance’s Formula One journey.

The post Aston Martin source claims Lance Stroll showing signs of ‘laziness’ amid tennis rumours appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

The Spaniard was signed by the British outfit for 2023 as the replacement for the retiring Sebastian Vettel.

Stroll, aged 24, has been associated with the Aston Martin team, previously known as Racing Point, since 2019. 

The team’s acquisition by a consortium led by Stroll’s father, Lawrence Stroll, marked a pivotal moment in its history. 

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Over the course of five seasons with the team, Stroll has amassed a total of 195 points. 

However, this season alone, Alonso, at 42 years old, has outshone Stroll by earning 168 points from just 15 races.

Alonso’s remarkable contributions have played a crucial role in elevating his team’s position on the grid. 

This season, he achieved an impressive seven podium finishes, including a noteworthy second place at the recent Dutch Grand Prix. 

In stark contrast, Stroll struggled to make an impact during the same race at Zandvoort, finishing just outside the points in 11th place.

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has raised concerns about the future of Lance Stroll in the sport, highlighting a glaring gap in performance between Stroll and his teammate Fernando Alonso. 

In a candid assessment, Schumacher expressed doubts about Stroll’s long-term prospects in Formula 1, citing the impressive performance discrepancy between the two drivers.

Schumacher, now an F1 pundit, underscored the substantial age difference between the two drivers while assessing Stroll’s performance. 

He characterised it as a “slap in the face” to witness a driver in his mid-20s lagging significantly behind a veteran like Alonso. 

While acknowledging Stroll’s occasional standout performances, Schumacher was forthright in his evaluation that Stroll’s performance paled in comparison to Alonso’s.

During an interview with Sky Germany at Zandvoort, Schumacher candidly stated, “It has been difficult with Stroll this year. 

“There were some highlights, but compared to Alonso, there is a massive difference in performance.” 

He further remarked, “Silly Season has begun, and we’ll have to see if Stroll still has a long future in Formula 1.”

Emphasising the nuance of his critique, Schumacher added, “It’s a slap in the face; I believe the situation should look different if your teammate is 42.” 

He commended Stroll’s talent but maintained that Stroll’s performance fell short in comparison to his more experienced counterpart. 

“There is no question that Lance should be in Formula 1 – he’s got more talent than some drivers on the grid. 

“However, he is weak compared to his teammate.”

READ: Red Bull reveal ‘most worrying situation’ involving Fernando Alonso

Schumacher also acknowledged Lawrence Stroll’s pragmatic perspective, given his extensive tenure in the sport. 

“I’m sure his father is realistic enough. 

“He’s been in Formula 1 for 7 years now if not more, and he has had great races. During the beginning of the season after his injury, which was a great highlight,” Schumacher noted.

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