Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is preparing to compete at the Azerbaijan GP in Baku, bringing with him a wealth of memorable experiences from previous races on this demanding street circuit. After a challenging weekend in Monza where Stroll was knocked out in Q1, the Canadian is eager for a strong performance in Baku, a track that has given him some of his best Formula 1 moments.
Stroll began his F1 career with Williams in 2017, facing numerous setbacks including three early retirements and finishes outside the points in the initial races. Despite a rocky start, he gained significant attention by securing his first podium at the Azerbaijan GP that same year. This achievement marked an important milestone in his career, with Baku awarding him one of his three F1 podiums to date.
His near-podium finish in 2017 was particularly dramatic. On the final lap of that race, Valtteri Bottas overtook Stroll on the start-finish straight by a mere 0.1 seconds, pushing Stroll to third place. This intense battle has left a lasting impression on the driver, who looks forward to revisiting those challenging Baku streets.
What Makes Baku a Special Circuit for Lance Stroll
In a press conference with Tom Clarkson, Lance Stroll was asked whether Azerbaijan ranks as one of his favorite tracks given his prior success there. He described Baku as a thrilling and tough venue that demands precision.
“Yeah, good memories, for sure, it’s a place I always enjoy coming back to, like Kimi said, it’s a challenging track, it has, you know, some tricky braking zones, so just finding the limit, you know, in the braking zones is always a challenge coming here, but yeah, it’s fun, you got to get close to the walls, and it’s one of those places that’s fun to drive when it all comes together,” replied Lance Stroll
Out of seven Baku races that Stroll has contested, he has managed to finish in the points four times. The other three occasions saw him impacted by either mechanical failures or accidents, underlining the difficulty of the circuit. Baku’s tight corners and close barriers require drivers to push their limits carefully, factors that Stroll seems to appreciate as both test and thrill.
Aston Martin’s Prospects and Stroll’s Expectations for the Azerbaijan GP
The recent Italian GP was disappointing for Aston Martin. Stroll’s race was compromised by a strategy that saw him start on hard tires and lose track position after a lengthy stint, while teammate Fernando Alonso retired following a suspension failure. Heading into Baku, Stroll refrained from making firm predictions about their competitiveness.
“I don’t know, we’ll see, you know, it’s very tight in the midfield, there’s not a lot in it between the teams, so yeah, we’ll see how we go this week.”
The Silverstone-based team has historically performed well in Baku, celebrating its first podium there in 2021 with Sebastian Vettel. However, the current Aston Martin car suffers from high aerodynamic drag, which is a disadvantage on Baku’s long straight sections.
Challenges and Opportunities Await Stroll at the Street Race
Baku’s street circuit demands a blend of aggressive driving and strategic caution, with braking zones that test drivers’ skill to the limit. Stroll’s experience on this track and his ability to consistently score points there position him as one to watch during the weekend. Success here could reinforce his credentials and contribute valuable points to Aston Martin in the closely contested midfield battle.
With fierce competition expected and unpredictable conditions often playing a role in street races, Stroll’s determination and past positives make the Azerbaijan GP an important stage for the Canadian driver. Fans and team alike will be watching closely to see if he can convert his fond memories into a strong result this weekend.
