Stroll won't let frustrations dominate his game

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Lance Stroll's entry into the big time hasn't been an easy going affair with the Williams rookie retiring in each of the first three races of the season.

Stroll suffered a brake failure in Melbourne but crashed out in China and Bahrain although last Sunday's mishap was caused by a rather over-zealous Carlos Sainz as the two drivers collided at Turn 1.

Stroll continues to serve his apprenticeship but realizes he needs to turn his fortunes around and contribute to the team's points tally as soon as possible. But his frustrations won't lead to a psychological letdown.

It is frustrating, but I don't have a choice - I have to get over it," explained Stroll in Bahrain on Tuesday.

"There is nothing I can do. We just have to stay focused and the tables will turn.

"F1 is 90 percent mental. And if you are not mentally able to get over things, then you are in the wrong sport. It would be pretty ridiculous if I would be giving up right now after three races in F1…."

Sainz gets Russia grid penalty for Stroll smash

To help his own cause, Stroll is resolutely focused on the positive column in which he puts his qualifying performance in Q3 in China.

"It has just been unlucky. Brake failure in Australia, there was nothing I could do about that. China was just one of those things that happens in racing and Bahrain was very unlucky. It is as simple as that.

"But we cannot dwell on that – we cannot look at it in a negative way. We need to look on the bright side.

"There have been a lot of positives to take out of the first couple of races and there have been things to improve on, and we know we are improving every race.

"We need to keep going. It is still a really long season ahead: we haven't got to Europe yet which will be a lot easier for myself as it is tracks I've raced on in the past.

"But I am focused race by race, frustrated by what happened on Sunday but I cannot dwell on it, I need to get over it and move on."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.