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Lance Stroll has made his amazement known after finishing a chaotic Azerbaijan Grand Prix in third place and clinching the first F1 podium of his short career.
The Canadian had qualified eighth, one place ahead of team-mate Felipe Massa, and the drama that unfolded ahead allowed him to gradually move through the field during the race. He entered and emerged from the red flag period in fourth place, but subsequently found himself a surprise second when Sebastian Vettel was penalised and Lewis Hamilton had to pit due to a loose headrest. Valtteri Bottas' sister Mercedes reeled Stroll in as the race reached its climax, eventually pipping him to second at the line, but the youngster was nevertheless delighted with his performance.
"I'm just lost for words right now, I don't know what say," he said after becoming the first Canadian on an F1 podium since Jacques Villeneuve in 2001. "I can't quite realise what just happened...it was a hectic race, people crashing, I just stayed out of trouble, I just kept my head cool, took it to the end.
"Our pace was good, we just lost out to Valtteri at the end there, probably one of the closest finishes of all time, we were side by side crossing the finish line, but what a race! I couldn't believe coming into the weekend I'd be standing on the podium, it's just amazing."
The points from this result mean that Stroll is now twelfth in the Drivers' Championship as Austria approaches, and F1 fans worldwide also voted him "Driver of the Day" as the race concluded. "I was chatting to Daniel (Ricciardo) in that motorsport's a love-hate relationship," he added. "We had a couple of hard races, but the last two races have been amazing, I'm just over the moon right now."
Mason Hawker
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
2 members have this team as their favourite
Replies (4)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Well done Mr Stroll!
LightIsRight
Posts: 113
Good boy! Now let's get Williams lots more points!
f1ski
Posts: 726
Very cool composed driving. Remenicent of verstappen holding off raikkonen
F1racefan97
Posts: 113
Good weekend for him, exactly what he needed to prove he belongs on the grid, only upwards from here