Szafnauer: 'Gutsy' racer Stroll will soon get more credit

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Racing Point F1 boss Otmar Szafnauer praised Lance Stroll for his performance in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, insisting the Canadian will eventually receive more credit for his remarkable efforts.

Stroll hasn't been spared criticism since his graduation to F1 in 2017, with many reducing the 20-year-old to a mere rich kid 'pay driver', a status sustained by the sharpshooters after his move to Racing Point at the end of last year, a team partially owned by his billionaire father.

However, Stroll showed indisputable talent on occasion at Williams, when his equipment allowed him to showcase his skills.

And his weekend in Melbourne further underlined the fact that the young charger is slowly bur surely turning into a refined racer.

Feisty Stroll reaps points for Racing Point with 'tight but great' race

Stroll upstaged team mate Sergio Perez in Sunday's race despite starting from a lower grid position.

He made up a string of places at the start and then progressed all the way to sixth; even after the pit stops were done he was able to stay in the points, finishing in a very creditable ninth while Perez was labouring to a mere 13th place.

Szafnauer believes that over time, Stroll's critics will need to revise their judgement.

"He’ll get some credit," said the Racing Point team boss.

"You don’t win all those championships coming through the junior formulae if you can’t drive a car. He’s won everything. Our expectation was that he was good.

I think qualifying was unfortunate. He was up on Sergio in qualifying until he hit Grosjean so he would’ve made Q3.

"But today for me, when he was in clear air – because he was running the opposite strategy – he put some great lap times in.

"And then when he came under pressure, from Kvyat especially and then Kvyat and Gasly, he didn’t put a foot wrong. So a good drive."

Szafnauer saw one drawback however following Stroll's spirited drive in Australia: the Canadian and Perez may become a handful to manage over time.

"He can pedal a car," added the American.

"It’ll be interesting because he’s a gutsy racer too like Checo so I’m sure there’ll be races where it’s one versus the other.

"But that’s what we need, we need two good drivers. And we’ve got them."

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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.