The 2023 Formula 1 season has been a roller-coaster ride for Aston Martin, the iconic British brand that returned to the sport in 2021 after six decades. While their new recruit, two-time champion Fernando Alonso, has been dazzling the fans with his five podium finishes in the first seven races, their home-grown talent, Lance Stroll, has been lagging behind in the points table. This certainly may not have impressed his father Lawrence Stroll who has started to tighten the screw on his son with performance expectations.

Lance Stroll has faced criticism for his lackluster performances, especially after he suffered a wrist injury during the winter break. After all the public criticism, even his father Lawrence is not ready to cut him any slack. Given Stroll Sr. owns the Aston Martin team, he expects that both drivers on his team perform at the highest level. Therefore, the Canadian tycoon has set an ambitious goal for his team ahead of his & his son’s home race in Canada.

Lawrence Stroll is confident that his team can challenge Mercedes and Red Bull. Thus, he expects that Aston Martin gets both cars on the podium in Montreal. Although the issue is that Lewis Hamilton & Mercedes have probably overtaken Aston in terms of performance if we look at the Spanish GP results. The Silver Arrows got a double podium in Barcelona, while Aston finished 6th & 7th.

Still, Stroll’s expectations may not be unrealistic as Aston Martin are bringing some upgrades to Montreal. Speaking with Reuters ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, Lawrence said: “Those are exactly the plans. Hopefully, get two cars on the podium. I’m extremely confident. I believe the car will be very strong around the Montreal circuit, it suits our car well. So I’m really looking forward to going home and really looking forward to a great race.”

“I believe we are bringing solutions to those and some upgrades into Canada. He (Lance) demonstrated in Barcelona he’s now starting, it took six or seven races, to feel better. I believe they will be equal by the end of the season.”

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While Lawrence Stroll is optimistic about his son’s prospects, many observers have questioned whether Lance deserves his seat at Aston Martin, given his inconsistent results and lack of experience compared to Alonso.

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Fernando Alonso, who joined Aston Martin from Alpine in a chaotic fashion, has been a big boon for the team. With 99 points in 7 races, Alonso is enjoying the best run of form for years in F1. Although, if Aston needs to make a mark as a team, Fernando needs Lance’s backing as a teammate.

Alonso has impressed with his skills and leadership in Aston Martin, which is 3rd in the constructors’ championship. He likes the team’s ambition and the car’s potential. His excitement is at the highest cloud to unlock more of his, the team and the car’s potential.

Lance has been consistently slower than Alonso most of the time with only beating him last time around in Spain. So, it seems that the Canadian is picking up some form to perhaps fulfill his father’s aspirations. Though, can he actually match Fernando consistently?

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If Aston Martin wants to beat Mercedes and Red Bull, Lance Stroll must do better and catch up with Alonso. His dad demands excellence and gives him a hard goal. Can Lance show his skills, or will he fail? Regardless, Canada is a big test for Aston Martin and Stroll against Hamilton & Co.