Stroll After Q1 Knockout In Japan: 'No Pace In Car And No Pace In Myself'

Saturday, 06 April 2024 at 15:30

Updated at Saturday, 06 April 2024 at 17:06

Lance Stroll suggested there is either a problem in him or his car after a very disappointing qualifying session ahead of the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.

The Aston Martin F1 team brought significant upgrades to Suzuka Circuit, hoping to increase their performance and gain some ground on their rivals in the top five.

The qualifying in Suzuka was supposed to be the first indicator of how effective these upgrades were. However, the British team encountered a problem with two very contrasting points of view on the two sides of their garage.

On the one hand, they have Fernando Alonso, who qualified in P5 ahead of some of the drivers from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. The 42-year-old was even second fastest at the end of Q1.

On the other hand, there is Lance Stroll, who clearly struggled as he couldn't even bring his Aston Martin out of Q1 and will have to start the race from P16. The Canadian driver said after the race, according to RaceFans:

"Everything felt fine. Just very slow today. No pace in the car and no pace in myself in my car. The car looks quick and Fernando was quick, so I don't know. I don't have more answers.

Read also

Mercedes Receives Fine From FIA Following Russell's Incident

"We have to look at the data, see if tyres, everything was working properly in the right window. It's just one of those days, I don't know, I don't have answers yet, we have to look at everything."

Regarding the upgrade package that Aston Martin introduced this weekend, Stroll added he had "anything positive to say about it, but it looks good with Fernando."

Interestingly, Stroll had one more session than the Spanish Matador to get familiar with the upgraded car. Alosno's upgrade parts arrived at Suzuka Circuit only in time to be put on his car for FP3.

Stroll had the opportunity to drive an upgraded car already in FP1, but it currently seems that it doesn't suit Candian's driving style.