Stroll rejoices in 'dream come true' podium

©WRI2

40

Lance Stroll started his race weekend on a positive note and ended it on a cloud, the teenager rookie earning his first ever F1 podium this afternoon in Baku.

The 18-year-old made the most of a chaotic but thrilling Azerbaijan Grand Prix, running smoothly in the top ten at the outset before taking advantage of a clash between Force India's drivers and Kimi Raikkonen's demise after the Finn's Ferrari was struck by debris.

Stroll found himself fourth behind team mate Felipe Massa during a 20-minute red flag period but the Brazilian relinquished his spot when a rear damper failed on the Williams.

Vettel's 10-second stop-and-go penalty further promoted Stroll to second, a result he held on to until a few yards from the checkered flag when a fast-recovering Valtteri Bottas whizzed by to steal the runner-up spot.

Stroll was anything but disappointed however.

"I'm just lost for words right now," Stroll said after the race.

"I don't even know what to say. I can't quite realise what just happened. It was a hectic race, people crashing and we stayed out of trouble. I kept my head cool and took it to the end.

"I lost out to Valtteri in the end, I reckon that was probably one of the closest finishes of all time.

"We were side-by-side across the finish line but what a race. I couldn't believe coming into the weekend that I would be standing on the podium, it's so amazing."

Wild race in Baku hands victory to Daniel Ricciardo

The Canadian admitted the closing stages of the race were difficult as his car was progressively becoming a handful to drive.

"It was tricky because I started to feel the rear going away. I knew it was going to be tricky to keep up the pace, so I tried to just push but not push, trying to get good lap times while saving the tyres."

As the second youngest driver to achieve a podium finish in F1, Lance Stroll will forever remember Baku 2017.

"You dream of being on an F1 podium growing up as a kid. You work towards it your whole life, and you finally feel the moment.

"It's going to sink in tomorrow morning."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

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

LAST CHANCE to enter our ULTIMATE TRACKDAY competition! FREE ENTRY HERE!

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.