Lance Stroll is hoping the first race of his Formula 1 career on a circuit that he has previously raced at can help him maintain his recent run of points results.
By keeping out of trouble the Canadian was able to finish eighth at his home race and followed that up with a mature drive to third in Baku, just missing out on second to Valtteri Bottas at the finish line.
A private test between the two races in Austin also helped, though it did annoy some, particularly former world champion Jacques Villeneuve, with the 18-year-old later claiming he was “always negative”.
But looking ahead to the Austrian Grand Prix, Stroll is anticipating a different type of weekend to those he has had so far.
“Austria will be a completely new experience for me, as this is the first track of the year where I have already raced,” he said.
“I just love that track. It is so cool and a place I have enjoyed racing. There are not that many corners but it has a great flow and it is easy to get a good rhythm.
“It is always great going back to a track where you have been successful, and that is definitely the case here as last year in Formula 3 I had two wins and a second! The area is very beautiful and it reminds me of back home in Canada – one of those northern tracks with pine trees.”
The race also brings good memories for his Williams team and technical director Paddy Lowe hopes they can help to a strong result as they look to close down Force India in the Constructors’ championship.
“We got a front-row lockout in 2014, so we hope the car should be quick once again so we can see how far towards the front we can get in qualifying,” he commented.
“After Lance’s podium and Felipe’s strong but ultimately frustrating race in Azerbaijan, we have in our sights a double points finish this weekend. We will do our very best to achieve that.”