Villenueve’s Sharp U-Turn on Lance Stroll After Sensational Turkish GP Performance

Lance Stroll is not among the favorite racers on the grid. He has been subject to severe criticism; furthermore, the jokes on him about his father are ruthless.

However, the only answer he had to his critics was his performance, which was nothing but extraordinary. Since he bagged a pole position in Turkey last Saturday, several people have seen a brighter side of the racer. Although he finished his race back at P9, he showed sheer class for the first 30 laps.

To win a Grand Prix the ingredients are pace control and a pinch of luck. Well, he had his pace and control; however, luck was the small chink in his otherwise shinning armor on Sunday.

Jacques Villeneuve was the last Canadian since Stroll to have notched a pole position at a Grand Prix. The stats seem pleasing? Well, their relation wasn’t. Jacques, the 1997 F1 champion, is a strict critic, and Lance Stroll was not in his good books.

Yet, when Stroll came ahead with a pole on Sunday, restricting Verstappen to P2, Villeneuve suddenly changed his tune. He did not push any harsh words on the Racing Point racer. Instead, he put in a few statements of praise.

“Unlike other drivers, he [Lance Stroll] made no mistakes. I don’t know what to criticize about his performance, ” remarked the former champion.

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Lance Stroll got pole by skill, not luck- Villeneuve

Lance Stroll made his team proud last Sunday. The Canadian was under the radar of several critics who despised him. Villeneuve was one of them. He had outrightly expressed that Lance Stroll does not deserve a place on the grid.

Recalling Lance’s battle with COVID at Germany, many were not aware of the same until the following Monday. Amidst that, Villeneuve was one who had condemned Stroll Jr for not having what it takes to be in F1.

However, the 97′ champion was not harsh on his compatriot anymore. Lance’s pole position on Saturday was an eye-opener for many, and Villeneuve finally realized that he does not completely run on Daddy’s green bills.

“That wasn’t luck. It was skill. Other drivers had the same tire strategy as Lance, but they didn’t do it so flawlessly,” concluded Villeneuve.

Sure, rightly stated. Villeneuve also recalled several other notable stints from the Canadian. Well, one good lap has turned one of Lance’s biggest critics into his sympathizer. Although there has been any comments from Villeneuve about Lance’s Sunday drive, a lot won’t have changed.

READ MORE- Lance Stroll Doesn’t Have Absolute Will to Make it in F1: Villeneuve