Stroll: “The team helped me keep my cool”

Lance stroll won his first podium in F1 at the end of the Azerbaijan GP in Baku which offered many twists and turns. The pilot Williams took advantage of the misfortunes of the competition to gain positions and take 3rd place even though he had just scored his first points in the discipline at his national event in Montreal (Canada).

" I am speechless. It was such an intense race and so much happened, comments Lance Stroll. The team helped me keep my composure, my pace was good and we stayed out of trouble until the finish. I can not believe it. »

Lance Stroll had to resist the return of Valtteri Bottas in the last laps. The Williams driver lost to the Mercedes a few meters from the finish.

“We lost 2nd place at the very end of the race to Valtteri, but it was one of the closest finishes in history, adds Lance Stroll. I never thought I would finish on the podium when I arrived here. It's a dream come true. I must remember that this is a team effort and she is the one who made this happen. I'm just sorry I couldn't celebrate it with Felipe (Massa), that would have been the icing on the cake. I'm sure he would have been with me if it wasn't for his problems. »

Felipe Massa had to retire following a suspension problem while in 5th place behind Lance Stroll shortly after the red flag.

Discover the analysis of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix carried out by our special correspondents in issue 2120 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.