Stroll on Massa: 'He's not my mentor!'

Lance Stroll
©WRI2

Williams rookie Lance Stroll views team mate Felipe Massa as just another rival, but one from which he hopes to learn.

The 18-year-old Canadian got off to a rocky start in Barcelona last week, beaching his new Williams FW40 three times in the Circuit de Catalonia gravel trap, inflicting damage which prevented the team from running on Day 4 of pre-season testing.

Stroll, who enjoyed the benefits of a huge preparation and testing programme in 2016, is paired with a man whose vast  F1 experience represents a valuable asset in the junior driver's learning curve.

But while he is eager to learn, he does not see Massa as a mentor.

"I think mentor is the wrong word," Stroll said.

"He's here pushing for himself as much as anyone is pushing for themselves.

"I think it's just great to have him in the team, helping the team move forwards, bringing a lot of experience to the team and there's a lot definitely that I can pick up from him.

" Him and myself are going to help the team move forwards as much as possible."

Lance Stroll was introduced to the Brazilian when he was enrolled by Ferrari in its driver academy program.

"I know him from our days in Ferrari and he's an open guy, he's a team player?" Stroll added.

"He's an honest guy and that's kind of all you really ask for when you have a team-mate. It's a positive spirit and a positive attitude in the team and everyone is really looking forward to the season and the rest of the tests, to get some more running."

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