Former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has made pointed comments about fellow Canadian driver Lance Stroll, implying that Stroll’s motivation to race may have been influenced by his father’s financial support and guidance.
Villeneuve’s remarks come after a lacklustre season for Stroll with Aston Martin, where Lawrence Stroll serves as the executive chairman.
Throughout Lance Stroll’s eight-year Formula 1 career, there has been a recurring narrative that his successful businessman father, Lawrence Stroll, played a significant role in advancing his racing career.
This perception has followed Stroll Jr. since his victory in the Formula 3 Euroseries in 2016, which happened while racing for a team owned by his father.
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Additionally, Lawrence Stroll reportedly invested $80 million in Williams to facilitate his son’s entry into Formula 1, making Lance Canada’s first driver on the grid since Jacques Villeneuve’s retirement in 2006.
Over the years, various pundits and experts have suggested that Lance Stroll’s motivation to race may have been influenced by his father’s involvement, raising questions about his personal drive and passion for the sport.
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Jacques Villeneuve, who has known Lance Stroll since childhood as neighbours in the Canadian city of Montreal, recently made comments that further fuel these speculations.
Villeneuve, known for his candid and sometimes controversial opinions, stated, “Lawrence built his son a private karting track just a 15-minute walk from their house.
“However, Lance used to travel to the track every day by helicopter.”