(Motorsport-Total.com) – Lance Stroll is using the forced Formula 1 break in April to compete in the season opener of the GT World Challenge Europe in Le Castellet this weekend. Now the Aston Martin driver has revealed that while he primarily wants to have fun there.
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At the same time, however, he makes it clear: “In Formula 1, you don’t always have the chance to win. Here, the competition is very tough, but even if it’s our first time and we lack experience: if everything comes together – good set-up, good feeling – a victory is possible.”
“That doesn’t really exist in Formula 1. That is also a big motivation for me to be here,” he emphasizes. This means: even if the focus is on fun, Stroll isn’t just there to fill the field with his teammates Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya.
Especially since Stroll is currently only trailing behind in Formula 1. After the first three races of the 2026 season, Aston Martin is in eleventh and last place in the World Championship standings, even behind newcomer Cadillac. A sense of achievement in the GT3 car would therefore be just the thing after a difficult start to the season.
GT3 fun versus Formula 1 frustration?
Stroll, who already drove his first sports car races in Daytona in 2016 and 2018, explains: “I really enjoyed the 24 Hours of Daytona. It’s a race that I really loved.” He now wants to build on this experience.
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“Since then, I have focused fully on Formula 1, but this year we don’t have a particularly competitive car, and now we have a break from racing,” says Stroll, who explains: “That’s why I had the idea to bring in some variety.”
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Max Verstappen has already shown how it can be done. The Dutchman has been competing on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife repeatedly since last year and will also take part in the 24-hour race for the first time this year.
Stroll reveals that he has already spoken to Verstappen about his own stint in the GT3 car. “Since he is already active in GT racing, we discussed it a bit. Everyone likes driving GT3 vehicles, they are fun,” explains the Canadian.
When asked if he would also like to drive more sports car races this year, he replies: “If I feel good physically and mentally, yes, then I would like to take part in more races during the year.”
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