History maker: Stroll claims in Jeddah record no one wanted

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Lance Stroll’s Saturday at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was marked by a milestone for the Aston Martin driver as unwelcome as a sandstorm in Jeddah.

The Canadian was eliminated in the first phase of qualifying for the 75th time in his F1 career, breaking the record for the most Q1 exits in the sport’s history.

For a driver who once snatched a brilliant pole in the chaotic 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, it was a moment to forget – like being awarded a trophy for showing up, only to trip on the podium.

While Aston Martin has not looked competitive this season – with even the seasoned Fernando Alonso qualifying only 13th – Stroll’s repeated early exits have begun to feel more like a grim routine than a rough patch.

Saturday’s result marked his third Q1 elimination in just five races this season, following similar failures in Japan and Bahrain. It paints a concerning picture for a driver now carrying the unfortunate distinction of Q1's most frequent castaway.

A son, a seat, and a seemingly endless supply of patience

Stroll’s enduring place in the sport continues to be a point of debate, amplified by the fact that his father, Lawrence Stroll, happens to own the Aston martin team.

In any other scenario, a driver setting this kind of record might be nervously glancing at contract clauses or browsing LinkedIn. But Lance appears to operate in a different orbit – one in which job security is almost as predictable as his Q1 exits.

Of course, it would be unfair to pin all of Aston Martin's struggles solely on Stroll. The AMR24 hasn’t delivered the performance the team had hoped for, and with design maestro Adrian Newey focusing fully on next year’s regulations, any meaningful upgrades are off the table for now.

As team principal Andy Cowell confirmed, Newey’s influence won’t be felt until 2026, leaving Alonso and Stroll to grind it out with an underwhelming car.

Still, Stroll’s Saturday struggles only deepen the perception that his seat is secured less by pace and more by proximity to a family boardroom.

Even the most patient father-boss combo must eventually ask hard questions – though judging by the Canadian’s seemingly eternal lease on his Aston Martin seat, that conversation is still on layaway.

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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.