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Formula 1 legend Alain Prost has asked people not to judge Lance Stroll until next season when the Canadian has completed a whole year in F1. During the first half of the2017 season, Stroll has struggled with his car and hasn't been able to match teammate Felipe Massa for the most part.
The 18-year-old put in some strong drives in Canada and Azerbaijan, particularly the latter where Stroll picked up his first ever podium finish. The 2016 F3 champion has attracted some critics who have thrown harsh words his way, but Prost says it is unfair to judge him just yet.
"He was being criticised even before he started," he told Le Journal de Montreal newspaper. "I said before the season that it would be difficult for him to manage his age and his inexperience. It's true that he has tested in the 2014 car, but he has had so much to learn, especially this year with these faster cars.
"But when you know F1, you know how difficult it is to get started. Look at Stoffel Vandoorne. He was considered one of the greatest hopefuls and he has had difficulties since the very beginning. But he's going to get better and better, and it's the same for Lance," Prost added.
It is no secret that Stroll's arrival in F1 was aided by his billionaire father, who paid Williams a hefty amount for a race seat. Post believes that is where the most amount of pressure lies: "It put extra pressure on him. And I think that's a pity because without a minimum amount of talent, he would not be in F1.
"We have to give him time. Where we can judge is in his results by the end of the year and especially next year. His progress. Today, it is still too early. At the moment, he's not doing badly. Honestly, in Baku, I looked at his race and he was one of the only drivers not to make a mistake."
Fergal Walsh
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
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