Williams downplays talks of Stroll investment

Williams has dismissed suggestions that appointing Lance Stroll to an F1 development driver role was aimed at making his father Lawrence a shareholder in the long run.

17-year-old Stroll moved across to the British team from the Ferrari Driver Academy at the end of last year, thereafter describing the Maranello junior programme as “basic”.

The Canadian’s 2016 schedule includes being “fully immersed” within the Grove-based outfit, carrying out extensive sessions in the simulator, and attending several grand prix weekends.

Some have surmised that Williams seeks to offer billionaire fashion businessman Stroll a stake in the firm, using support to his teenage son’s career as an incentive.

However, Williams Group CEO Mike O'Driscoll denied these suggestions on Monday while presenting the company’s latest financial results.

“We have never talked to Lawrence about shareholding,” he is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com. “We have a really strong shareholder structure today: [Sir] Frank [Williams] with majority, Brad Hollinger [15%], Patrick Head who still owns 10 percent and then the rest free flow.

“I think we have a really strong shareholder structure today and we haven't had conversations with either Lawrence nor anyone else about investing in the team.”

US healthcare executive Hollinger was appointed to the Williams Board as a non-executive director on Tuesday, having recently increased his stake by purchasing Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff’s final shares in the British outfit.

Stroll Jr. launched his sophomore European Formula 3 Championship campaign with a hat-trick of win, pole position, and fastest lap in the first contest of the three-race opening weekend at Paul Ricard (see picture).

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