Lance Stroll had an extremely difficult start to the new F1 season. During the first race weekend in Melbourne, the Aston Martin driver barely saw any action. During two free practice sessions, he completed only nineteen laps before a problem with the Honda engine cost him the third practice and qualifying. In the race, he crossed the finish line last – fifteen laps behind race winner George Russell.
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After consultation with the FIA, Stroll was given permission to start the race, although he had to make a long pit stop halfway through for adjustments to the car. As a result, he ultimately lost fifteen laps. “Racing is a big word, but yeah, we went out on track and drove around a bit,” a cynical Stroll summarized his race to the media. “It was actually the only session I drove all weekend. In that respect, it was nice to get some laps and kilometers in.”
Honda causes headaches
Despite all the problems, the Canadian did reach the finish line. That is already more than teammate Fernando Alonso, who had to cut his race short after twenty laps. When asked if a fifteen-lap deficit was difficult to accept, Stroll replied: “No, it’s not. The biggest problem is that we simply have no speed and reliability. That’s the most important thing.”
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For Aston Martin, the engine problems in particular are a major headache. Honda has so far failed to deliver a competitive power unit. During testing in Bahrain, it already became painfully clear that the engine cannot withstand long stints. Although the chassis – designed by master designer Adrian Newey – seems competitive, the AMR26 is plagued by unnatural vibrations. These are harmful to both the powertrain and the drivers. In the run-up to Australia, Newey warned that Alonso and Stroll could potentially even suffer nerve damage if they hold the steering wheel for too long. Stroll was asked on Sunday whether Aston Martin had made improvements in that area during the weekend. “No,” he said gloomily.
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