Williams Technical Director Paddy Lowe praised the performance of Lance Stroll as he produced an excellent performance in both qualifying and the race at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Canadian hasn’t been able to push on from the high of his first Formula 1 podium in Baku in June as the British team has struggled to optimise the performance of the FW40 but in the rainy conditions in qualifying, which usually don’t suit Williams, the 18-year-old would finish fourth quickest overall, beating the two Ferraris and Valtteri Bottas.
Grid penalties for the two Red Bull drivers in front would then see Stroll start second for Sunday’s race making him the sport’s youngest front row starter in history beating a record set by Max Verstappen last year.
Though a tentative race saw last year’s European F3 champion fall back to seventh, the former Mercedes boss was very pleased with how he once again capitalised on an opportunity to show his potential.
“I think you’ve got to remember he’s not only a rookie, but he’s only 18. He hopefully has a long career ahead of him,” Lowe said. “I remember where I was at when I was 18 and it was pretty much nowhere. I just find anything that somebody can do at an age of 18 really, really impressive. It’s very early.”
Stroll’s performance was also another answer to his critics, who scolded the decision to promote him and blamed it purely on his father’s financial backing
“Lance has had some struggles this year, but that’s to be expected in anyone’s first year in F1, especially coming in so young,” Paddy added, “but it’s great to see that he’s finding his moments to display his talent, and I hope he can build on that.”
Teammate Felipe Massa also had a better weekend as the Brazilian made Q3 in qualifying, by the end of the race, the two Williams cars were battling each other on track, with Stroll just finishing ahead but Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams admitted, after the Force India situation at Spa, it was a nervy final few laps.
“We absolutely let them race and that was probably more to make sure Perez didn’t overtake Massa rather than put the pressure on Lance,” she told Autosport.
“It was a little bit scary the last lap, but we have total trust in Felipe. He’s an old hand, an experienced driver and he knows about taking team-mates off and the rules around that.
“We had some issues with both cars at the end with some overheating, so I’m glad to get them finishing seventh and eighth.”
On Stroll’s speed, Williams, who announced she would miss the remainder of the year after revealing she was pregnant, added: “With Lance qualifying where he did, it’s a testament to the performance he has.
“When he drove the car for the first time in the wet [in qualifying] and did what he did – it was fantastic.To have the car to come home where it did, it’s a happy way to end the weekend.”
