F1 News, Reports and Race Results

‘Lance will be in F1 in 2017’, says Stroll's father

Lawrence Stroll has declared that his son Lance “will be in F1 next year”, though the Canadian businessman would not confirm whether he would graduate to grand prix racing with Williams or another team.

Stroll signed off his Formula 3 European championship career with a perfect score at Hockenheim last weekend, having already sealed the title two weeks earlier in Imola.

The Williams development driver has been strongly tipped to replace the retiring Felipe Massa at Grove in 2017, and has been ramping up preparations ahead of his expected F1 promotion by securing extensive mileage in a 2014-spec car.

“Lance will be in F1 next year,” Stroll Snr told French-language publication Le Journal de Montreal. “You can mark my words.”

“He is fulfilling his dream. His race and title wins in F3 are no small feat, but what I am the most proud of is the way he has reached these heights.

“You have no idea how hard he has worked since his career started. His care and relentlessness have made him a champion this year. It’s been a long, sometimes tough journey but he has reaped the most beautiful reward.

“Now he has reached his ultimate goal of making it into F1. I’m sure he’ll be successful there. It’s a big challenge and he has been preparing for it for a long time.”

When asked whether Williams was the team his son would be competing for in 2017, Stroll Snr replied: “We are currently studying two options. Everything will be clear in a few weeks’ time.”

Incidentally, the report says Force India could be the second option, with the team looking to fill Nico Hulkenberg’s seat following his departure to Renault.

The article adds that Stroll’s F1 plans should be announced in London on November 3, a couple of days after the Canadian teenager’s 18th birthday.

FEATURE: Where and why has Williams been caught out

F1i Classic - Masten Gregory - The 'Kansas City flash'

Silbermann investigates the potential EU threat to F1's Liberty Media deal

2017 F1 driver line-ups so far

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

1 hour ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 1 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the United…

1 hour ago

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

11 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

12 hours ago

F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…

13 hours ago

McLaren relaxes ‘papaya rules’: Norris and Piastri free to race

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…

14 hours ago