Lance Stroll reckons problems at the start, a slow pit-stop and flat-spotted tyres cost him a potential top-six finish in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.
Stroll lined up on the front row at Monza after a fine performance in a sodden qualifying, but fell to third after being blocked by pole-sitter Hamilton on the run to Turn 1.
The Canadian lost further ground after a rare blunder from the Williams pit crew, but held on under pressure from team-mate Felipe Massa and Sergio Perez to take seventh.
It was the 18-year-old’s first points-finish since Austria, but he could not contain his slight disappointment.
“It was good. Could’ve been better,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“There were parts of the race that weren’t perfect. Lewis didn’t have such a great start which blocked me and meant I had to back off and give the position to Esteban.
“The pace was strong and it was a shame about the pit stop. That was our opportunity to jump him. A good P7 which was awesome.
“I had a massive flat spot so couldn’t see much but racing is racing. I really enjoyed myself.”
Nonetheless, Stroll says the memorable weekend was a positive learning experience.
“Every opportunity that I have to be in positions that I was today is strategy that I’ll learn,” he explained.”
“Days like today and Baku, I feel like I’m getting better and better.
“[Starting on the front row] was a very special moment for me. Qualifying was probably the highlight of the weekend, being able to do what I did in those conditions.”
