Ralf Schumacher questions Stroll’s ‘autocratic’ rule at Aston Martin

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has ignited a fresh storm around Aston Martin, openly questioning whether owner Lawrence Stroll is steering the ambitious project toward success – or quietly into turmoil.

Speaking on Sky Sports Germany’s Backstage Boxengasse podcast, the six-time Grand Prix winner offered up his critical view of the Silverstone-based outfit in the wake of its troubled pre-season preparations in Bahrain.

Despite the high-profile arrival of design legend Adrian Newey and vast investment in facilities, the team struggled for pace and reliability, logging fewer laps than key rivals and failing to look like a front-runner under Formula 1’s new rules.

"I have to say: we are not always the biggest supporters of the whole project," Schumacher began. "And sometimes I also have to say: Lawrence Stroll has such his own way of doing things.

"He doesn't really talk to anyone. You see him, but he hardly gives interviews. But he hasn't earned this by a long shot.

"It obviously creates a huge problem within the team. I think Lawrence is under enormous pressure because he more or less acts as an autocrat.

"I am curious to see if he can withstand the pressure from the investors, because seemingly he is making the decisions on his own."

Aston Martin Needs Time

For Schumacher, the concern extends beyond lap times. He believes the grand project risks stagnation at precisely the wrong moment.

"Aston Martin is currently moving sideways rather than forwards. And then now such a dramatic start,” he added.

"I can only hope – I believe Stroll has made good decisions – that people give him and the team, including Adrian Newey, time."

But patience may be in short supply. Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is reportedly facing his final season and cut a visibly frustrated figure in Bahrain, while Lance Stroll continues to battle scrutiny over inconsistent form.

Schumacher fears combustible personalities and mounting expectations could ignite internal conflict.

"Above all, they must now avoid destroying each other internally,” the German insisted.

“This is going to be a huge test of patience. Alonso is supposedly in his last year and will be anything but happy, probably on the contrary, enormously frustrated.

• Read also: Newey reportedly laid bare Honda engine crisis in F1 meeting

"We also know about Lance: he is not someone who stays cheerful when things are not going his way. There have reportedly been quite a few loud discussions.

"And Adrian is obviously also very disappointed with the whole situation, no doubt. He had imagined all this more beautifully. The pressure is on."

At Aston Martin, ambition has never been higher. Now, so is the tension.

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