Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin spot questioned despite billionaire dad’s presence

There seemed to be as much chance of Red Bull ditching F1 champion Max Verstappen as Aston Martin getting rid of Lance Stroll.

Despite a poor season so far, littered with crashes and underwhelming pace compared to teammate Sebastian Vettel, Stroll’s place in the Silverstone-based team has long been thought to be as safe as houses, given the fact the team is owned by his billionaire father, Lawrence. However, Stroll senior may soon to have a tough decision to make over his son, who is in his sixth season in F1 and can no longer be excused for a lack of experience. That’s according to former racer and Sky Sport’s F1 pundit Johnny Herbert.

“Lance has had a bit of a difficult time of late,” said Herbert on the F1 Nation podcast following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Stroll finished a lowly 16th after crashing twice in qualifying.

“I sometimes think there is a certain time that, if it doesn't quite happen, [when] Lawrence has got to go, ‘son, I've given you a chance, It isn't quite working out and I’ve got to do what's right for the team’.

“I think there will be a point that's going to happen. I don’t exactly know when that will be, but it’s down to Lance actually to do the job that he needs to do and consistently do that job. At the moment, it’s a little bit scrappy.”

Herbert has a replacement for Stroll in mind in the shape of Pierre Gasly, who has been one of the most impressive drivers on the grid since returning to AlphaTauri following his unhappy spell with sister team Red Bull.

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A return to the senior squad is out of the question in the short-term after Sergio Perez penned a two-year contract extension, and Gasly is thought to be ready to leave the Red Bull driver programme.

“I think he’s got to do what Daniel did and break away,” added Herbert. “I think he should already be making inquiries about exactly what they want to do and say ‘yeah, I’m ready, and I’m willing to come on board.

“I think that’s where drivers sometimes have to make those harsh decisions, if you call it that. But, from a career perspective, it'd be the right thing for him to do.”

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