Stroll: 'We need to work on consistency'

©WRI2

A week before the F1 action resumes at Spa, Lance Stroll is hoping Williams will bounce back from the summer break as a more consistent runner.

Williams' target at the outset this year was to lead the mid-field and perhaps give the front-runners an occasional run for their money.

But the team's new-spec FW40 has failed to perform according to the Grove-based outfit's expectations, displaying particular weakness at high-downforce venues.

The flaw has led to inconsistency and a struggle to keep up with fouth-placed team and rival Force India.

"We know that [consistency] is one of our issues, and we're addressing it, but it's not so simple," says Stroll.

"We're not where we want to be every weekend, due to different tracks, tracks that suit out car. Some ways it works and some tracks just don't work with our car.

"We're working on it, but it's not ideal, as sometimes we're comfortably in Q3 and at other tracks we're struggling to get out of Q1, so we need to fix that."

Stroll on the other hand is happy with his performance to date after a rocky start to his F1 career.

Williams determined to fight Force India for fourth - Lowe

Mishaps and crashes cast a doubt in the eyes of the pundits but a string of good results, including a podium finish in Azerbaijan, undoubtedly improved his prospects and his image.

Yet, the 18-year-old Canadian rookie admits he is still very much on a learning curve.

"Every time I get in the car, there is something to work on, but I'm pretty happy with the way it's been going lately," said Stroll.

"Obviously we had our tough moments, which was expected in a first season You have to expect adversity and you have just got to get over it.

"But we had some great moments, scoring points, getting the podium in Baku, and we scored a good amount of points in the first part of the season.

"So far, so good, but there's still a long way to go, so we just have to take it race by race and focus on one thing at a time."

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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.