Lance Stroll expressed deep frustration after being eliminated in Q1 during the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix qualifying at the Marina Bay Street Circuit. The Canadian driver described his performance as consistently poor at this venue, highlighting his struggle to advance amid tough competition.
In the opening qualifying segment, Stroll was knocked out in 17th position alongside drivers including Gabriel Bortoleto (16th), Franco Colapinto (18th), Esteban Ocon (19th), and Pierre Gasly (20th). Despite a last attempt to improve his lap time, Stroll could not progress to Q2, leaving him far from the pace needed to contend for top grid spots.
Challenges Faced During Singapore Qualifying
Lance Stroll’s difficulties in Singapore extend beyond just this qualifying session, as he has repeatedly faced setbacks at the circuit. Reflecting on his elimination over the Aston Martin team radio, he voiced sharp disappointment:
“So unbelievable, it just always goes bad man!!” – Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Driver
Since arriving at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, Stroll’s performance in the Aston Martin car has lagged behind that of his teammate Fernando Alonso. This gap was evident again in qualifying, underscoring ongoing challenges with pace and track conditions.
Stroll’s history at Singapore includes a major crash during 2023 qualifying that forced him out of that race entirely. This year’s position near the back of the grid means he faces an uphill battle to climb through the field during Sunday’s race, aiming to reach the top ten by overtaking several rivals.
Mixed Weekend So Far: Promising Practice Performance
Despite his tough qualifying session, Stroll showed optimism following the Friday practice runs. He finished Free Practice 2 ranked sixth, behind drivers like Oscar Piastri, Isack Hadjar, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, and Lando Norris. The results indicated some progress and a better understanding of the circuit conditions.
After the practice, Stroll shared his observations and confidence about the improvements made throughout the day:
“Yeah, some good laps today, we learned a lot. I think we improved the car from the beginning of the day, till the end of the day. So that was good, and, yeah, just see what we can do tomorrow.” – Lance Stroll, post-practice interview
He also highlighted the impact of changing track conditions between sessions:
“Yeah, it’s very different for sure, the temperature dropping, the sun coming down, it was very, very different in FP2, so yeah, I had a very different feeling in FP2, we were competitve in that sesssion.” – Lance Stroll, post-practice interview
Comparison With Teammate and Season Context
While Stroll struggles to find consistent speed in Singapore, Fernando Alonso managed to reach Q3, showcasing contrasting fortunes for the Aston Martin drivers at this event. Throughout 2025, Alonso has demonstrated the ability to maximize the car’s performance when conditions suit.
Interestingly, in the overall drivers’ championship standings, Stroll still holds a slight edge, having earned 32 points compared to Alonso’s 30. This reflects an ongoing competitive tension within the team despite difficulties on certain tracks like Singapore.
Implications for Sunday’s Race and Beyond
Starting from the rear of the grid means Lance Stroll faces a critical race where overtaking will be essential for recovering points. The Marina Bay Street Circuit’s tight, twisty layout is notoriously difficult for passing but also rewarding for drivers who can capitalize on others’ mistakes and safety car opportunities.
Stroll’s candid admission of his qualifying woes at Singapore stresses the challenges he must overcome to turn his weekend around. Meanwhile, Aston Martin will be watching closely to see if he can translate his Friday pace improvements into race day progress, potentially altering momentum in this intense 2025 season.
