Fernando Alonso grabbing P3 after a closely fought battle with Carlos Sainz came as pleasant news but not as a surprise. That is because the build-up to the race day made it clear that Aston Martin was no longer a team that was gunning for excelling just in the midfield. The result, however, puts Mercedes in a tough spot. As is the norm in F1, teams that purchase parts and PUs from other teams tend to be slower than the suppliers. Alonso and Lance Stroll broke that norm on Sunday as the Spaniard beat Lewis Hamilton and the Canadian beat George Russell, fair and square. Before the race, we saw Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff share a laugh together. As fans now recall the moment, they can’t help but come up with some wild theories.
Despite excelling in qualification, Alonso and Stroll did not have the best start to the race. Lance ran into the back of his teammate, resulting in them both losing a couple of positions. However, what happened after that was nothing short of a story worth a million dollars. Not only did Fernando beat his rival of the yesteryear, Lewis Hamilton, but also overtook his Spanish counterpart, Carlos Sainz, to register a podium finish.
Fans come up with some hilarious and some ludicrous theories as Lawrence Stroll and Toto Wolff meet before the race
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
During the live build-up to the race, we saw Toto and Lawrence on the track having a chat. During their brief screen time together, we also saw them share a hearty laugh.
This has sent fans on Twitter into a frenzy, cooking up stories that will surely tickle your funny bone. Mind you, some of these are downright conspiracy theories.
Lawrence gonna send the car blue print to Toto like we sent him the Merc blue print in 2020
— post my loan (@kelsostan) March 5, 2023
Lawrence: if I give you the sidepods, will you give me the access to the Party mode?
Toto: Deal , I’ll even throw in the manual for How to trigger Horner. pic.twitter.com/eMDIqJh1kk
— Ash (@AShoeAndACashew) March 5, 2023
Some fans believed that Wolff should have followed Lawrence’s approach in hiring. The Canadian tycoon brought Red Bull’s former chief of Aerodynamics, Dan Fallows, on his team. The results have just begun to show themselves through the performances on the track.
Honestly Toto should have never let those engineers go in 2021. The young engineers he said he has faith in are failing dismally. Lawrence recruited aggressively. https://t.co/FbT42QJ17N
— IAm (@IamItAll5551) March 5, 2023
Lawrence hired aggressively and Toto let a big bunch of his people go to Red Bull.
That’s just careless. https://t.co/efE6GkGKfn
— David (@MrNwiks) March 5, 2023
"Thanks for the engine
You are a good friend my friend" https://t.co/NAmoqUNbCG— Pedrinho (@DrAchincalhao) March 5, 2023
One fan cracked the running joke in F1 quarters that anyone who even remotely favors or praises Lawrence or his son Lance is paid by him.
Toto hugging Lawrence omg has he been paid off lmao
— IG/TIKTOK/YT: (@noelleplay) March 5, 2023
Lawrence hugging Toto like it's God's Plan 😭 pic.twitter.com/y3gJixzGOT
— Ravi S. (@RaviBeingRavi) March 5, 2023
And we got some more memes.
Lawrence Stroll to Toto Wolff #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/vvhuVfaHoK
— ➕Z.S➕ (@SFZaheer2001) March 5, 2023
Toto gonna use that Mercedes PU influence to get some information from Fallows
— Stannis the mannis (@Stannistheman33) March 5, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story: Rich History of F1 races in Las Vegas Throughout the Years
Lawrence, do you need a new team principal?
— Formulalexes (@formulalexes) March 5, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think Toto and Lawrence were talking and sharing a laugh about? Probably devising a way to beat Red Bull together?