Former F1 driver advises Lawrence Stroll: "This is the fork in the road"

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert says it's time for Lawrence Stroll to consider 'chopping his son' at Aston Martin. Herbert also suggests that Stroll should consider sending Carlos Sainz an offer to drive for Aston Martin alongside Fernando Alonso. Lance Stroll has been outperformed consistently by his teammate in 2023 and 2024. In the Chinese Grand Prix, Stroll drove into the back of Daniel Ricciardo under the safety car. 

Stroll has currently scored nine points during the 2024 Formula 1 season compared to Alonso's 31. In fact, eight of those points came during one Grand Prix weekend in Australia. Whereas Alonso could mix it with the front runners in China, Stroll found himself in the midfield. The Canadian has since been heavily criticised for the move he made on Ricciardo during the safety car period.

There was a concertina in the third sector hairpin, but Stroll wasn't looking in front of him when he approached the corner. The ordeal left Ricciardo furious during his interviews after the race. Herbert believes he has seen enough to strongly judge the 25-year-old. 

Why Lawerence Stroll should consider "chopping his son"

"I’ve always backed him because he has put in some good showings. But is he going to be world champion? Probably not because he is not consistent enough," Herbert, who is sometimes a steward at Grand Prix events, is quoted by Fastest Payout Online Casino.

"He and Aston Martin are at a crossroads. The new factory they are building, the new wind tunnel facility. You don’t invest to stand still. To improve and move forward you have got to have both your drivers doing the job that is expected of them, it doesn’t matter who you are. You have either got to beat your teammate or be there or thereabouts and that is not quite happening. Lawrence Stroll should consider chopping son for Carlos Sainz," Herbert added.

Who should replace Lance Stroll?

Herbert believes Carlos Sainz is the perfect partner for his fellow countryman, Alonso. Sainz was forced out of Ferrari because the Italian team opted for Lewis Hamilton for 2025. Sainz is the only driver outside of Red Bull to win a Grand Prix since November 2022, and he has achieved the feat twice. 

"There will be this point where Lawrence has to make a decision. For me if Aston are going to make this a success and move things forward there is a guy out there who would fit the bill perfectly – Carlos Sainz," Herbert said. 

"Carlos is doing a brilliant job at Ferrari in a situation where he knows he has not got a job next year. This is the best I have seen of Carlos. It would be a sad state of affairs if Aston missed out on Carlos. He will obviously want to give his son the best chance he possibly can, but he is also a businessman. This is the fork in the road and where he has to make a decision between business and family. For the Aston Martin journey to continue they need the best of the best," Herbert concluded.