As Pressure Mounts to Sack Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Boss Brutally Assesses Struggling Star’s Performance

As the season progressed, Team Aston Martin emerged as a dark horse beating early front-runners like Mercedes and Ferrari and being the only one to narrow the gaps with Red Bull. However, the situation has drastically changed, and the Silverstone-based team is no longer even close to the podium. Meanwhile, attention is focused on the struggling star Lance Stroll, who, after recently being tipped to retire, has just received a harsh evaluation from the team boss.

Fernando Alonso, the team’s top driver, has nearly 150 points through the first 12 races, while Lance Stroll, the team owner’s son, who has shown some early promise and even prevailed over Alonso once, is currently battling at the rear of the field. Stroll, who has only collected 47 points so far, has drawn criticism and attention from multiple analysts. David Croft, a Formula 1 commentator, recently predicted that the Canadian driver will soon head towards retirement in the next 18 months. The veteran believes that the young man has lost his “mojo.”

In his words, the Veteran said in the Skysportsf1 podcast, “I want to see the Lance Stroll back that turned up in Bahrain, because I think he’s lost his way a little bit.I think he’s lost his mojo, and whatever’s happened, Lance just doesn’t seem to be as motivated now as he was at the start of the season.”

Although Lance previously demonstrated his genuine character when he made a recovery from his wounds and leaped into the AMR23 while still suffering from a broken wrist. And this seems enough for Aston Martin boss Mike Krack to give his brutal assessment of the struggling F1 star’s performance.

As per F1 maximal, Krack said, “The podiums weren’t so much the highlights, as far as I’m concerned. Those are the comeback of Lance (Stroll, ed.) after his injury and the special approach of Fernando (Alonso, ed.) in Monaco. Lance showed what a fighter he is, jumping into the car with broken wrists and a broken toe. He’s been very unlucky.” At last, by making the assessment apparent, the 51-year-old concluded by saying, “The standings in the championship give a certain picture, but in the team we know what it’s really like.”

READ MORE: “Policeman” Fernando Alonso Showers Praise on Aston Martin’s Unsung Heroes Amid Disappointing Run of Results

Although Stroll may be facing some criticism at the moment, Alonso appears to have built a positive reputation for himself within the squad over the course of the 12 races this season. And amid the axe hanging around Stroll’s neck, the Spaniard has spiced things up by highlighting one instance in which he sees his friendship with Lance Stroll deteriorating.

Under what specific condition does Fernando Alonso expect his friendship with Lance Stroll to deteriorate?

The double champion had a successful 2023 season so far. He presently has a one-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton, who is vying for third place with Alonso, thanks to his podium finish and respectable fifth-place showing. The 41-year-old, who has frequently served as Stroll’s mentor during this year’s campaign, has been perceived in a different light. For example, choosing to not pass Stroll in Spain seems like a strange choice.

Although Alonso has now revealed one circumstance in which the entire “nice guy” version can abruptly alter. The Spaniard claimed that his relationship with Stroll might have completely changed if the team had been in contention for the championship.

While having a conversation with BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Alosno said, “I’m happy to help but I don’t think there is much more mystery on this. We have a good relationship now. If we were fighting for the championship maybe there would be less communication or a bit more tension between the team or the drivers.”

In the end, clearing the current goals, the double champion added, “But right now we have very clear goals and we are working together in that direction.”

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Given the pace at which Aston Martin is moving forward in its development, do you believe the team can make some harsh calls to corner Lance Stroll?