Stroll set for GT World Challenge debut at Paul Ricard

As a sudden forced hiatus puts a halt on Formula 1 this month due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, Lance Stroll isn’t interested in a quiet month at home.

Instead of swapping his racing suit for loungewear, the Aston Martin charger is trading his open-wheel cockpit for something with a roof and a lot more bodywork.

Next week, Stroll will make a surprise debut in the GT World Challenge Europe season-opener at the Circuit Paul Ricard.

Swapping his usual F1 machinery for the muscular Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO, the Canadian is joining the Comtoyou Racing squad. It’s a move that keeps his reflexes sharp while the rest of the F1 world waits for the sport’s reprise in Miami next month.

Stroll won’t be flying solo in the No. 18 entry. He’s set to share the drive with a diverse crew, including former Marussia F1 pilot Roberto Merhi and fellow Spanish racer Mari Boya.

A tacked-up field at Paul Ricard

While the outing will mark Stroll’s first foray into the specific world of GT racing, he’s no stranger to the endurance grind.

With two Daytona 24 Hours starts already to his name – including a notable fifth-place finish back in 2016 – the transition to GT3 should be more of a "refresher" than a "reset."

The grid at Paul Ricard is shaping up to be a star-studded affair. Stroll will find himself sharing the tarmac with MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi, who returns to the series full-time with BMW.

Even Max Verstappen’s presence will be felt, as his Team Verstappen Racing outfit is also scheduled to compete, even if the Dutchman himself is sitting this one out.

For Stroll, this will be a cameo that will hopefully remind the paddock that when given something different than a high-frequency vibrating F1 machine, he can still surprise.

Read also: Alonso and Stroll turned frustration into fun in Suzuka scrap

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