Lance Stroll has endured a challenging start to the 2023 Formula 1 season, with the Canadian having been largely engulfed by Fernando Alonso’s shadow.
Since joining Aston Martin, Alonso has very much been the Silverstone-based team’s leader, whilst Stroll has been the side’s number two driver.
Stroll has struggled to perform consistently and is yet to claim a podium, whereas Alonso has already stood on the rostrum six times in 2023.
The 24-year-old’s best result of the year so far is fourth at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, with him not looking set to finish on the podium anytime soon.
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He only just finished in the points at his home race recently, where he was eliminated in Q2.
Stroll started the Canadian Grand Prix in 16th; however, he was able to recover to ninth.
His result though was completely overlooked, as Alonso finished second and just under 10 seconds behind Max Verstappen.
Despite Alonso performing so much better than the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, the duo do appear to get on very well.
Stroll comically pushed Alonso away in the team’s motorhome during his home GP, after the two-time World Champion was taking several close-up photos of the Canadian driver whilst he was having his photo taken elsewhere.
The Aston Martin driver was completely oblivious to what Alonso was doing, until he turned around and comically pushed the Spaniard jokingly and took the phone.
Moral is clearly high in the Aston Martin camp; however, questions are continued to be asked over whether Stroll is good enough for the team.
If Aston Martin truly want to become championship contenders going forwards, then they need two drivers capable of challenging for the podium at every race.
Whilst Alonso has that ability, Stroll doesn’t.
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The Canadian has only claimed three podiums in his entire F1 career, with his last having come at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.
Alonso can’t continue being the only driver in the team putting Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari under pressure, given that he’ll always be outnumbered.
If Stroll was claiming consistent top-five finishes this season, then Aston Martin would sit second comfortably in the Constructors’ Championship; instead, they’re in third behind Red Bull and Mercedes.