Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll expressed his frustration over the team radio during the opening practice session (FP1) at the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Canadian driver faced early challenges with his AMR24, making it clear that his weekend wasn’t off to the best start.
Aston Martin has been struggling to extract the full potential of their car for a while now, slipping into the crowded midfield battle. For Stroll, the Azerbaijan GP holds significance—it’s where he achieved his first F1 podium back in 2017. As he worked to rediscover his form, the issues with the car only added to his frustration.
During the FP1 session, Stroll voiced his struggles with the handling of the AMR24, stating over the team radio:
“This is not a car, this is not a car right now.”
He went on to explain that he was experiencing “huge understeer in the mid-corner,” which hampered his ability to navigate the circuit smoothly. His team inquired whether adjusting the front wing flap would help improve the situation, to which Stroll responded:
“No, it’s mechanical balance.”
While Stroll’s troubles were evident, it wasn’t immediately clear if his teammate, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, was facing similar issues. Alonso managed to place P7 in the FP1 session, while Stroll could only secure P13.
In a pre-race interview, Stroll had described the Baku City Circuit as “one of the most challenging” tracks on the F1 calendar, citing its unique characteristics of tight corners and long, fast straights.
Lance Stroll’s Thoughts on the Baku City Circuit
Ahead of the race, Stroll shared his insights on what makes the Baku City Circuit so demanding, yet exciting to drive. Speaking via PitPass, he highlighted the technical difficulty and unpredictability of the track, which is known for providing thrilling races year after year.
“Baku is one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar, but that’s also why it usually delivers such great racing. The walls are super close, so there’s no room for error, especially in sector two where some of the corners are the tightest we face all season,” Stroll commented.
The Canadian driver further noted that the close walls and tricky middle sector increase the likelihood of Safety Cars, adding another layer of unpredictability to the race. He emphasized the importance of staying sharp with race strategy to take advantage of any unexpected opportunities:
“Those tight corners mean there’s a high probability of Safety Cars, so we need to stay on top of our strategy and be ready to capitalize when chances arise.”
Stroll also expressed his excitement about racing on this particular circuit, explaining that the track’s variety and unpredictability make it a favorite among drivers. He noted the importance of precision through the winding middle sector and the opportunities for overtaking on the long straights:
“The variety and unpredictability of the circuit is what makes racing here so exciting. You need to be extremely precise through the middle sector, threading the car through the walls while trying to gain time. Then you set yourself up for the long main straight, where overtaking into Turn One is a real possibility.”
Looking ahead, Stroll emphasized the importance of continuing to push hard for the rest of the season. With the midfield battle heating up and only a handful of races left, the data gathered in the next few races could be crucial for the team’s 2025 campaign.
Aston Martin currently sits fifth in the Constructors’ Championship with 74 points, but the competition remains fierce. Stroll himself faces mounting pressure in the Drivers’ Championship, with both Nico Hulkenberg and Yuki Tsunoda closing in on his tenth-place standing.
As the season enters its final stages, the Silverstone-based team will be looking to finish strong, not only to hold their position but also to build momentum heading into the next year. For Lance Stroll, the focus will be on maximizing every opportunity on track, starting with the demanding challenge of Baku.
Lance Stroll’s frustration boiled over on team radio during FP1 at the Azerbaijan GP: ‘This isn’t a car, not right now!
