Lance Stroll says the move from Williams to Racing Point felt like a different category to him in 2019 F1 season from 2018.
Following two seasons with Williams in 2017 and 2018, Stroll moved to Racing Point for the 2019 F1 season, the outfit which his father Lawrence co-owns. The Canadian’s results improved to be 15th in the drivers’ championship compared to 18th in 2018.
It was down to the car as well as the chance Stroll got to finally battle in the midfield rather than his teammate. The pace difference from Williams to Racing Point was such that the 21-year-old compared it to moving to a different series all-together in 2019.
“It’s very, very different,” he said to media including FormulaRapida.net. “It’s like, I mean, it’s like a different category really. F1 is always changing. You know, the tyres are changing every year, new cars get developed and experience changes.
“I think it’s a really exciting team, exciting year for the team next year. We had a lot of challenges coming into this year with everything what went on in 2018, transition from Force India to Racing Point I do think of put us on the back foot coming into this year.
“And next year, I think, is really going to be representative of what we can do over the winter and how strong we can be when we show up in Melbourne.” When pressed further by FormulaRapida.net, Stroll elaborated on the key differences.
He regarded Racing Point’s environment as more competitive due to confidence. “I mean, I see a difference in speed,” said Stroll. “I mean, look at the grid. So that’s definitely just, I think it’s a much more competitive environment.
“There’s a great group of engineers that work here. It’s great working with the guys around me. I think everyone is really excited about next year and to be a part of that is very exciting. We’re already looking forward to 2020, I think there’s some unfinished business.”
Here’s the story about Lawrence Stroll potentially in talks with Aston Martin
The story was written by Duncan Leahy and edited by Darshan Chokhani
