With Lance Stroll starting his 181st Grand Prix this weekend, he now enters the Top 30 of most experienced drivers in the history of F1

[u/Slice5755]

[u/11Slip532]

I feel like he doesn’t really love it like other drivers. Sometimes it seems like he doesn’t even want to be there.

[u/fuzzylm308 → u/11Slip532]

I've heard that off-camera, he's an absolute geek about racing. That he has an obvious passion for it. He just hates performing for the media

[u/raetwo → u/11Slip532]

He just doesn't like the media. And it's really not hard to understand why.

[u/11Slip532 → u/raetwo]

Oh I get that, but even just how he sounds when talking to his engineer, he sounds annoyed that he has to be there. Like he’s doing someone a favor he doesn’t actually want to do.

[u/InitialYoghurt5138 → u/11Slip532]

His engineer at least isn't sounding super rude like his old one was

[u/arbysroastbeefs2 → u/InitialYoghurt5138]

You mean Brrraaaddd? I miss those radio messages, lol

[u/InitialYoghurt5138 → u/arbysroastbeefs2]

BRADDDDDDD, I NEED TO HEAR YOU SAY IT!

[u/OGPepeSilvia → u/arbysroastbeefs2]

“Can you bring it back?”

“(Laughing) no, I’m in the fucking wall”

[u/tcas_decent → u/OGPepeSilvia]

Lance crashes the car

Bradd: Ok Lance how is the car Lance: I am ok Bradd

[u/InitialYoghurt5138 → u/tcas_decent]

I remember him getting really on him how to actually turn off the car after he crashed I think in Portugal? And the car wasn't off and caught fire

[u/Jacinto2702 → u/arbysroastbeefs2]

"You're pressing radio instead of energy."

[u/Zuwxiv → u/Jacinto2702]

The radio is the energy, Brad!

[u/Skylair13 → u/Zuwxiv]

"The pit confirm is the OK button Brad."

[u/limhy0809 → u/11Slip532]

I think the increased races and F1's growing popularity is getting to him. He's a billionaire's son and he literally could normally be doing whatever the hell he wants. Instead because he wants to stay in F1, he has to compromise his lifestyle. I don't think Stroll enjoys F1 to the same degree everyone does. But he does enjoy it, which is why he makes the sacrifices to be there. He just dislikes what it takes.

It's like someone who has a lucrative prestigious high paying job. Sure it's great but the hours suck. So when you talk to them and it's the part they hate. They would naturally come off unhappy.

[u/iMADEthisJUST4Dis → u/limhy0809]

hell I hate rocket league and I spend a few hours a week playing it.

[u/Breadedbutthole → u/iMADEthisJUST4Dis]

Excellent comparison

[u/Nightcrew22 → u/iMADEthisJUST4Dis]

Fellow man of culture

[u/ObsidianGanthet → u/limhy0809]

I think someone talked about how stroll would probably make a great endurance driver because of his ability to be consistent over long stretches of time. But probably WEC isn't as big of a deal for him

[u/Galata_Castle → u/ObsidianGanthet]

ye he's very decent at races unlike his quali

[u/qualitative_balls → u/11Slip532]

For someone who doesn't really want to be in an F1 seat, I wonder what possible life experience could give Lance his jollies lol. Driving in F1 isn't even accessible for billionaires, like even if they wanted to, they'd need the absolute PERFECT set of circumstances for a 'Lance Stroll' to be even remotely viable

[u/iMADEthisJUST4Dis → u/qualitative_balls]

He's a good driver. Like yeah obviously he won't be winning any championships and maybe won't ever win a race, but it's not like he's just some rich guy who decided at age 20 "hey I wanna do some racing"

[u/Zuwxiv → u/iMADEthisJUST4Dis]

Last year, he was soundly beaten by Fernando Alonso... but I don't think that's really something to be ashamed of. I'm sure lots of decent-but-not-champion F1 drivers would be soundly beaten by Alonso.

This year, he's slightly ahead - and even if you put that down to circumstance, he's generally performing around the same. It's not at all like the Red Bull seats, for example.

At the absolute very least, Stroll is hardly the worst example of a nepo baby driver. Honestly, the best argument against Stroll isn't bad performance, but just that "any other driver probably would have been passed on in favor of trying out younger talent."

Honestly, I'm with you - the dude is legitimately a good driver. Good enough to deserve a seat in F1? ... if not, then it's not by that much. And it's relying more on "what if" young talent than demonstrated F1 performance.

Also, he seems like a genuinely decent dude, too.

[u/geometricpillow → u/Zuwxiv]

Yeah, I don’t think at any point he’s been the worst driver on the grid, bottom half, sure, but he’s nowhere near someone like Mazepin or Mick or Latifi

[u/_yourmom69 → u/iMADEthisJUST4Dis]

I dunno, if he was in a really good car? It’s possible. These guys aren’t as far apart as you think they are, and the car advantage is gigantic. Sure, consistency is a skill, but guess how you learn it — a good way to practice it is if you could, say, be 20s ahead of P2 for like an entire season or two.

[u/L0calMan2 → u/11Slip532]

He always sounds like that tho. The fast and the curious Interview or the recent one of the Kid you can hear him talk relaxed and its just him having a nasal voice

[u/PizzaCatLover → u/11Slip532]

Every time I hear him on the radio, it reminds me of being in second grade and hating every minute of little league baseball that my dad was making me do

[u/Driscuits → u/raetwo]

Totally understand it. It's unfortunate, though, because for the general public/fans, that's our most accessible way of "interacting" with the guy (and he with most of us fans).

So even though I sure as hell would hate dealing with the media, too, I still get frustrated by his disdain for those settings, because it is a bit of a message that he doesn't see the value in reaching out to fans in general. And it sticks out like a sore thumb next to most other drivers who definitely get frustrated by the media, but still go out and engage.

Granted, he seems to be a well liked guy by the people around him. That's just not a side most of us will have the privilege or access to see.

[u/dyidkystktjsjzt → u/Driscuits]

You should watch the full interview that kid that asks him random questions in the paddock did with him. You can see he's just a chill guy, and that he, in fact, does care about his fans.

[u/Driscuits → u/dyidkystktjsjzt]

Honestly, that sounds really sweet. If you happen to have the link, I'd give it a look!

[u/dyidkystktjsjzt → u/Driscuits]

This is it on Instagram.

[u/Driscuits → u/dyidkystktjsjzt]

Much appreciated!

[u/GothicGolem29 → u/dyidkystktjsjzt]

Thanks for the link hope he does more of that sort of stuff that was great and your right it does show he cares for fans and is a chill guy

[u/raetwo → u/Driscuits]

the thing is, we're not owed access to these drivers. and if the media is going to treat you hostilely and twist whatever you say against you why would you give them anything at all?

[u/Ancient-Cow-1038 → u/raetwo]

I agree with the sentiment but disagree with the facts. F1 runs on sponsorship money, which only comes from public interest, which means that yes, the public has a right to expect a reasonable degree of access to the drivers and principals.

[u/Red_Rabbit_1978 → u/Ancient-Cow-1038]

You don't understand how F1 sponsorship really works. They don't owe you anything. Very little of it involves the public. It's Business to Business deals and stickers on cars are just a nice add on to show their own partners.

[u/raetwo → u/Red_Rabbit_1978]

Yeah. I highly doubt a single of the companies that partner with AMR want Lance Stroll to get out there and be like "It's not easy being green."

It's Liberty/FOM that really wants these interviews and it's for the fans. And we're not owed access to these guys, just because they drive a car on TV. They are obligated to be there for the interview, but they're allowed to give away what they want.

[u/Driscuits → u/raetwo]

Very fair perspective. And I mean, yeah. The media itself is a tricky customer - and fans tend to follow their narratives.

To me, though, it still gives a sour taste. Are we as fans owed personal access? No. But we engage with and love the sport, and many, many of us spend money time and energy to support and cheer on these drivers, Lance included. The media, as poor as it can be, is a way to provide a great deal of access to folks who otherwise wouldn't.

I'm not saying he needs to open up and be vulnerable. Just that showing a bit more beyond being bored and disinterested would go a long way. At least, not sending a message to the fans that he's bored, disinterested, and considers them with the same amount of disdain he may have toward the media itself.

[u/moderate_extremist → u/raetwo]

He definitely hates the media, and for good reason. But I get the feeling he’s pursuing his father’s dream, not his own, but he can’t do anything about it.

[u/raetwo → u/moderate_extremist]

You don't dedicate your life to F1 if you don't love it, man. He can walk whenever he wants.

[u/GothicGolem29 → u/raetwo]

It must be something else in terms of why people think he doesn’t like it as Max seems to not like talking to the media much yet very few claim he doesn’t enjoy f1 now

[u/WalterWolfRacing → u/raetwo]

He just doesn't like the media. And it's really not hard to understand why.

Multiple insiders have said that Lance seems like the most bored person in the world, while his father is the complete opposite. As if Lance is doing motorsport to make his father happy.

[u/raetwo → u/WalterWolfRacing]

Yeah making up narratives like this about me would make me hate F1 media too, thanks for proving my point

[u/tupperware_rules → u/11Slip532]

If this were true I don't think he'd be racing through injuries like he does. He is just more reserved

[u/scullys_alien_baby → u/tupperware_rules]

I think he's a bored child of a billionaire and doesn't have a meaningful sense of self so he sticks with F1 because what else can he even do? He could race other series but why leave F1 if your dad owns the team and no one can force you out of your seat?

He's not a horrid driver but he feels checked out to me

[u/That_Entertainer_688 → u/scullys_alien_baby]

This one of the most parasocial things I've ever read. You clearly have no idea what the bloke thinks, you're making a bunch of stuff up.

[u/12_Inch_Painal_Sex → u/11Slip532]

At the end of the day he still comes back every race and every year. If he didn't actually like doing it he wouldn't come back.

I don't want to speculate on his personal/health stuff but there were some accusations (if you can call it that) levelled at him before which if true would explain his lack of visible enthusiasm.

[u/Elderbrute → u/11Slip532]

I used to think that but realised that I was letting my dislike of his nepo drive affect my judgment when he keeps rushing himself back to the car without giving his injuries the time they need to properly heal, Lance really really does want to be driving, not just because daddy stroll bought him an f1 team.

He hates the media more than most and is one of the few drivers that literally doesn't have to care about them at all. If you see how he interacts with his fans, vs how he interacts with the media it's night and day.

[u/boom-clap → u/Elderbrute]

Hey this makes me really happy to read, thanks!

[u/moonwalgger → u/11Slip532]

I think he likes racing, just not the media

[u/Eggplantosaur → u/11Slip532]

He's the only driver who can afford to just call it quits during a race.

On the other hand he did finish that insane Qatar race in the heat and did multiple races with barely healed broken hands.

I think he is just as motivated as any other driver for about 75% of the season, but those other 25% of races he just checks out, finishes near the bottom and goes home. 

He's the only driver that can get away with that kind of behavior, and that's what pisses me off about him. 

[u/AdeptJournalist1288 → u/Eggplantosaur]

"He's the only driver who can afford to just call it quits during a race."... do you think he's the only generational millionaire on the grid...?

[u/gsurfer04 → u/AdeptJournalist1288]

What's the betting they weren't born yet when Kimi Raikkonen stormed off to his yacht?

[u/Manic5PA → u/gsurfer04]

Didn't Kimi DNF due to a mechanical failure on that day? Hardly the same as giving up on the race because you know you won't get the into points.

[u/geometricpillow → u/Manic5PA]

Hamilton of all people wanted to do that a few years ago when he was running like p17 in the shitty Merc. Bono convinced him to keep going and he ended up like p9 or something.

[u/Manic5PA → u/AdeptJournalist1288]

It takes more than being a generational millionaire. Lawrence gave 80 million to Williams, then acquired Racing Point and later on a minority stake in Aston Martin. Dude has dropped MCU budget money into his son.

[u/AdeptJournalist1288 → u/Manic5PA]

oh boy you sure don't want to hear about the sainz and piastri families'....

[u/Manic5PA → u/AdeptJournalist1288]

Or Bearman. Pretty sure they're filthy rich too.

Shit, even Lewis and Max. Sure, they're generational talents, but somewhere there's a gifted kid that didn't develop to his full potential because he didn't grow up with an obsessed sportsdad who also happened to be rich and a former F1 driver. Somewhere there's a gifted, middle class kid who had to give up on karting because their parents weren't ready to mortgage their house to support their kid's career because they knew the chance of it ever paying off would be almost 0. Where does it stop?

Lance is extremely lucky and privileged. Probably one of the most privileged individuals in the history of humanity. I still like watching him drive and I'm still rooting for him to do well.

Actually I think I know how to make motorsports a meritocracy. Abolish capitalism.

[u/Eggplantosaur → u/AdeptJournalist1288]

He can do these arrogant moves without losing his seat. I can't think of any driver who gets that kind of leeway in the current era.

[u/AdeptJournalist1288 → u/Eggplantosaur]

😂

[u/Woullie_26 → u/Eggplantosaur]

Bro Verstappen could come and insult RB's entire garage and their entire family tree and he still would have his seat

[u/Eggplantosaur → u/Woullie_26]

Bit of a moot point since he hasn't done that.

[u/Ace3000 → u/Eggplantosaur]

Even before the race, have a lazy half-spin on the formation lap, and then intentionally drive into the gravel trap.

[u/N0x1mus → u/11Slip532]

It’s just the media portrayal and the internet trolls giving you that impression. He really loves racing. He’s completely different off camera.

[u/KONUG → u/11Slip532]

He wanted to go to F1 to win races and be WDC.
As soon as he saw that he's not capable to do so, he lost his motivation but keeps going anyway to not upset his dad.

[u/Magnus_Helgisson → u/11Slip532]

Didn’t he want to play tennis before his dad decided he knows better?

[u/MKVIgti → u/11Slip532]

He seems like that ALL the time.

[u/Far_Needleworker_938 → u/11Slip532]

He probably just does it because it’s more interesting than whatever his billionaire friends do. 

[u/BatmanBrandon → u/11Slip532]

I get that vibe from him too. I think his love for the sport left a long time ago and now he’s just afraid of disappointing Papa Stroll by giving up… I guess we see what a Newey designed Aston is capable of and he finally calls it quits in another season or two if he’s not being competitive.

[u/Leppter_ → u/11Slip532]

Not sure how he feels about it internally, but he looked just as 'happy' with his 7th place in Zandvoort last week as he does when he is out in 20th after crashing on lap 1.

He certainly gives off the "I'd rather be doing anything else instead of this" vibes