“I have a lot of respect for him” – Stroll shares what it has been like to work with two-time champion Alonso

Lance Stroll has enjoyed working with new Aston Martin team-mate Fernando Alonso so far this season and has praised the two-time World Champion’s commitment to getting the best out of himself and the team every weekend.

Alonso joined the Silverstone-based team at the start of the season and finished third in four of the first five races that season – with he and Stroll helping Aston Martin to second in the Constructors’ Championship with 102 points.

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Whilst their performances behind the wheel of the AMR23 have received plenty of praise this year, the great relationship between the two drivers has also been a hot topic in the paddock so far.

Alonso in particular could be heard on team radio telling his engineer to brief Stroll on what brake balance to use in Baku before praising the Canadian’s overtaking in Miami while watching on the big screens.

Speaking in Miami about his relationship with Alonso, who he has known since he was 12, Stroll said, “I wouldn’t say we were dating back when I was 12. I was just a fanboy. But yes, the team is very dynamic at the moment.

“I definitely enjoy working with him. He is incredibly talented, knowledgeable, experienced and hungry to bring out the best in himself every day. I have a lot of respect for him because he’s been doing it for a long time.

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“He’s been… how many years has he been in Formula 1? I don’t know, more than 20 years? So I think I have a lot of respect to see that determination, focus and motivation every day.”

He added: “And yes, we have a great synergy in the team and the car was really nice to drive.” I think we had a great relationship and felt like we both try to get more out of the car every weekend.

“As a team we’re just trying to come up with more ideas together, just better ideas and how we can improve the setup to make it even better.” I think the momentum was really good.”

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While Alonso has finished in the top three four times so far this year, Stroll has yet to make the podium in 2023. But the three-time podium – most recently on the podium at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prize – admitted it’s a goal.

“Yes, that was a long time ago,” Stroll said. “I mean, you know, I really want to be on the podium. But I’m just going to keep driving my car as fast as I can and when it happens, it happens and that’s great. My job behind the wheel remains the same.”