Fernando Alonso quickly acclimatised to life at Aston Martin a year ago, securing six podiums in the initial eight rounds.
The Spaniard consistently led the team, contributing significantly to their fifth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
As the oldest driver on the grid, Alonso faced off against Red Bull early on, while Stroll familiarised himself with the team.
However, entering 2023, Stroll faced setbacks, having missed pre-season testing due to a cycling accident, necessitating surgery on his right wrist.
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Throughout the season, Stroll struggled to challenge Alonso, finishing ahead of him on only four occasions, with two instances being due to Alonso’s retirement.
By the end of the season, Alonso had amassed eight podiums and 206 points, securing fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship.
In contrast, Stroll’s best performance was fourth at the Australian Grand Prix, ending the season in P11 with 74 points.
Stroll’s disappointing season saw him contribute only 26.4% of the team’s points, while Alonso accounted for 73.6%.
Acknowledging his performance gap to the seasoned Alonso, Stroll, during Aston Martin’s 2024 F1 challenger launch, admitted lacking pace in 2023.
He cited technical issues hampering his performance and hopes for better fortune in the upcoming season.
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Though reluctant to attribute his challenges to luck, Stroll acknowledged the significance of misfortune and technical glitches in his campaign, affecting his competitiveness for favorable positions.
Looking ahead to 2024, Stroll expressed determination to bridge the gap with Alonso. He outlined areas for improvement and strategies to enhance competitiveness, emphasising the need for improved fortunes on the track.
Reflecting on the previous season, Stroll remained optimistic, aiming to build upon the lessons learned and elevate his performance for the upcoming challenges.