Stroll Sr: 'I don't put pressure on my son'

40

Lawrence Stroll denied putting pressure on his son Lance to deliver on expectations as the Williams rookie continues to struggle in his maiden F1 season.

The 18-year-old has come under the scrutiny of pundits who question his ability to race at the highest level following his lack of consistency and his under-performance compared to team mate Felipe Massa.

But Stroll Sr, a billionaire fashion mogul who bankrolled his son's journey to F1 to the tune of an estimated $80M, denies he is exerting pressure on the teenager.

"I do not put pressure on Lance," Stroll told Le Journal de Montreal newspaper.

"The pressure he has is that which he puts on himself. I am only his father.

"There are professionals everywhere who are paid to handle it, and a team that is very satisfied with his behaviour and his progress."

Massa defends team mate Stroll after Monaco mishap

Lawrence Stroll also contends that his son's "rich kid" image hasn't done him any favours.

"For sure there is jealousy," added Stroll senior.

"But I want to stress that Lance earned his place in Formula 1. He won everywhere he went and the (license) points that he needed, he went and got them.

"This is probably the toughest year for a youngster to start in F1, with even the teams not always understanding exactly what is going on.

"So you cannot ask an 18-year-old to do it alone," he insisted.

The Canadian businessman also pointed to the fact that 'pay drivers' in F1 are widespread in F1, even if the money doesn't stem from a family fortune.

"There is not a driver here who has not been supported by millions," said the 58-year-old.

"Take Sergio Perez. How do you think it happened for him?"

Want to win a trackday experience? All you have to do is subscribe to our FREE newsletter HERE

Gallery: All the pictures from Sunday in Monaco

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.