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Lance Stroll's father Lawrence doesn't believe that a private test in the US last week was a factor in determining the outcome of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. 18-year-old Stroll claimed his first ever podium finish on Sunday, crossing the line in third place.
It was revealed during the weekend that Stroll had travelled to the Circuit of the Americas for a private test following the Canadian Grand Prix, where he scored his first ever points. During the test, he worked on set-ups in the FW36, a car he knows well from private tests in 2016.
"To be honest, I don't think the test helped at all," Stroll senior said. "It had also been planned for nine months. I think it's just time that has helped Lance. Every race, every lap that he turns, is a step forward. There are no real tests in formula one, so every Grand Prix is a test for him. It has never been so difficult for a rookie than this year, with these tyres and these cars."
A dream come through
Stroll became the youngest ever rookie podium finisher, surpassing the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Kevin Magnussen. He is also the first Canadian to take a place on top of the podium since the 2001 German Grand Prix, when world champion Jacques Villeneuve took third place.
"I’m just lost for words right now," Stroll said after the race. "It was such a hectic race and so much happened, but the team kept me cool on the radio, the pace was good, we took it to the end and stayed out of trouble. I can’t quite believe what’s just happened.
"We just lost out to Valtteri at the end there in one of the closest finishes of all time going side-by-side across the finish line. Coming into this weekend I never thought I would be standing on the podium. It’s an amazing feeling and, for me, a dream come true.
"However, what happened today was a team effort and I can’t thank everyone enough for making this happen. I am just so sorry that I could not celebrate with Felipe, as that would have been the icing on the cake. I am sure without his problems he would have been up there with me."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Amazing drive from stroll, showed so much maturity and speed