In the world of Formula 1, Fernando Alonso, the most experienced driver in the competition, found himself going head-to-head with Red Bull early on, while Lance Stroll familiarized himself with his new team. Aston Martin welcomed Alonso with open arms last year, and he wasted no time in making his mark, achieving an impressive six podium finishes in the first eight races. Throughout the season, the Spaniard consistently led the team, playing a crucial role in their fifth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship. Meanwhile, Stroll, still getting accustomed to his new surroundings, faced some setbacks in 2023. A cycling accident prevented him from participating in pre-season testing and required surgery on his right wrist. As a result, Stroll struggled to keep up with Alonso throughout the season, only managing to finish ahead of him on four occasions, two of which were due to Alonso’s retirement. By the end of the season, Alonso had notched up eight podium finishes and accumulated 206 points, securing an impressive fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship. In contrast, Stroll’s best performance was a fourth-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix, and he ended the season in eleventh place with 74 points. Stroll’s lackluster season meant that he contributed only 26.4% of the team’s points, while Alonso accounted for a significant 73.6%. During Aston Martin’s launch of their 2024 F1 challenger, Stroll openly admitted that he lacked pace in 2023 compared to his seasoned teammate Alonso. He attributed his struggles to technical issues that hindered his performance and expressed hopes for better luck in the upcoming season. Stroll acknowledged the role that misfortune and technical glitches played in his campaign, affecting his ability to compete for favorable positions. Looking ahead to 2024, Stroll expressed determination to narrow the gap between himself and Alonso. He highlighted areas for improvement and outlined strategies to enhance his competitiveness, emphasizing the need for improved fortunes on the racetrack. Despite the challenges he faced in the previous season, Stroll remained optimistic and aimed to build upon the lessons learned to elevate his performance for the upcoming challenges.
According to the Source formula1news.co.uk