Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll is hoping to see both Aston Martins on the podium at the Canadian Grand Prix as he aims to put an end to Red Bull’s dominance in 2023.
Red Bull has won all seven rounds of the 2023 Formula 1 season so far, five of which have been delivered by championship leader Max Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin has been the surprise of the field so far this season, climbing from seventh in the standings in 2022. Winter recruit Fernando Alonso has secured five podiums for his new team, who now sit third in the Constructors’ Championship.
Lance Stroll, whose early performances of the season were hampered by a pre-season wrist injury, has been unable to emulate the performances of his team-mate across the early rounds.
But Stroll senior is hoping that his son will be able to become the first Canadian driver to finish on the podium at their home grand prix since Jacques Villeneuve finished second in 1996.
“Those are exactly the plans. Hopefully get two cars on the podium,” Stroll said speaking at an Aston Martin event in New York.
“I’m extremely confident. I believe the car will be very strong around the Montreal circuit, it suits our car well… so I’m really looking forward to going home and really looking forward to a great race.”
Following the Spanish Grand Prix, Aston Martin fell to third in the standings behind Mercedes after Stroll and Alonso struggled with higher-than-expected tyre wear.
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished second in Spain and has won a record-equalling seven times at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Stroll asserted that Aston Martin understands its shortcomings at Catalunya, and upgrades brought to the Canadian Grand Prix should help address existing issues.
“I believe we are bringing solutions to those and some upgrades into Canada,” he continued.
“I think he [Lance] demonstrated in Barcelona he’s now starting, it took six or seven races, to feel better… I believe they [the two drivers] will be equal by the end of the season”.
Stroll was also asked whether he expected Alonso to be part of the team’s future when its new partnership with Honda commences in 2026.
“I think most people would never have believed Fernando would be around today,” Stroll responded.
“Probably a little long to see him around in ’26 but never say never.”
