Williams youngster Lance Stroll claims he is unconcerned by the current performance gap to team-mate Felipe Massa.
The veteran Brazilian currently sits eighth in the Drivers’ championship, while the Canadian is yet to score a point in his rookie season, though did finish 11th at the last race in Russia.
Lance insists, however, it’s only a matter of time and progression before the results start to back up Williams’ decision to promote him.
“When everything comes together, the gap is not so great,” the 18-year-old told Germany’s Auto Sport und Motor. “But with his experience, Felipe knows how to get the maximum from the car. I’m still learning that. But the more I try, the better I understand how the car responds.
“At the moment, everything is new and there is so much more to consider than just driving. But I knew already what to expect. And the challenge is fun, even if it’s sometimes difficult and frustrating,” he added.
Stroll joined the grid after becoming European F3 champion with Prema last year, the same series Max Verstappen finished second in, in 2014.
“It was the same in Formula 3, the start was not easy,” he said, comparing his initial experiences in the two categories. “But in the second season, you know the tracks and what is expected.
“Now I’m starting again from zero and I have to acquire all of that knowledge. Unfortunately, it’s not a process I can speed up.”
Finally, he brushed aside the critics who continually point at the large financial backing his drive brought Williams as the sole reason for his F1 seat.
“They don’t see what happens behind the scenes,” he claimed. “I always know why the gap is there.
“I don’t read what is written anyway because they don’t know the whole picture.”