Racing team Williams signs teenage driver Stroll as replacement for Massa
Young Canadian Lance Stroll Prepared for Formula One Debut with Williams
Next season, Montreal native Lance Stroll will make his Formula One (F1) debut for the Williams team, becoming the first Canadian driver to compete in the sport since Jacques Villeneuve in 1997.
Racing Background of Lance Stroll
Stroll's journey in motorsport began in karting before transitioning to single-seater racing. He competed in the Formula 4 series and later in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, where he drove for Prema Powerteam. In 2016, Stroll clinched the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, securing a seat in Formula One. He also had a notable performance at the Macau Grand Prix, finishing eighth in the main race in 2015.
Challenges and Achievements in Formula One
Stroll's Formula One debut in the 2017 season was not without its challenges, as he experienced a few retirements early in the season. However, he managed to score his first F1 points at the Canadian Grand Prix and later achieved a podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, making him the youngest rookie to do so.
Preparations and Expectations
Stroll has expressed gratitude towards Williams for showing faith in his ability to race in Formula One. He has also expressed excitement about learning from the team's engineers and improving as a driver. Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal of Williams, has expressed confidence in Stroll's maturity, talent, and enthusiasm.
Valtteri Bottas, Stroll's teammate at Williams, has shown loyalty to the team, referring to it as his family. Bottas, who has been with Williams since 2010, is committed to giving 100% to the team in the 2017 season. Stroll, on the other hand, will approach the season on a race-by- race, lap-by-lap basis.
Continuation of Williams' History
Stroll's Formula One debut will mark the continuation of Williams' history of introducing young drivers. Felipe Massa, who had previously raced for Williams, has announced his retirement from Formula One. Bottas, who will partner with Stroll at the Mercedes-powered team, has expressed excitement for the 2017 season and the regulation changes.
Notable Records
Max Verstappen, not Stroll, holds the record for the youngest driver ever to start a Formula One race. Verstappen was already an established driver by the 2017 season, having made his debut in 2015 at the age of 17. In 2017, Verstappen was 19 years old and continued to compete for Red Bull Racing, achieving multiple race wins and podiums.
Stroll has yet to obtain his road license, but he is eager to continue his journey in Formula One and make a mark in the sport.
Lance Stroll's racing background includes single-seater racing and his participation in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, which he won in 2016. In the world of Formula One, Stroll plans to face each race and lap with determination, taking his debut season one race at a time.
