Alonso praises relationship with Stroll after renewal: 'I will support him'

Aston Martin is owned by the Canadian's father, Lawrence Stroll, who has supported his son since his F1 journey began in 2017 at Williams, a team in which he invested heavily to help secure his son a seat. Fernando Alonso, who is set to partner Lance Stroll for two more seasons, said in the paddock today he is happy to continue driving alongside the Candian for another few years.

Alonso: Stroll 'was thinking' about his future

"Great news for the team. He was thinking a little bit on his future or whatever he was waiting for, but for us I think it's great news as he knows the team very well. I think apart from a few years in Williams, he spent his career in this environment with the same group of people and he can improve things knowing what Aston was in the past, what is now, what things have changed for the better if things have changed for worse," said the Spaniard. Stroll has driven with his father's team since 2019. Racing Point was the team's identity for 2019 and 2020 before it changed to Aston Martin for 2021.

"He has all this background. I have it for other different teams, so between both of us we can try to help and take the best solutions and I think in this year and a half together we get along very well. So for me personally, it's also very positive news. I can work with someone who is just thinking in the same direction and just helping the team. Not just his individual wishes so it's good news for the team," revealed Alonso, who is content Stroll is staying with the British squad. 

Alonso 'doesn't remember' a similar teammate relationship

Alonso also appears to be fond of his younger teammate. Stroll, who is only 25, has already started over 150 Grand Prix. Alonso hopes he can continue helping the Canadian develop into the future. "He's a very dedicated person and committed person to his job. He’s doing a lot of work in the simulator. He lives in the UK and that helps, obviously but we've been constantly talking about the team and about the things in the car. Sunday night after Barcelona, we exchanged quite a big text on WhatsApp. I don’t remember this kind of relationship with other teammates in the past," said Alonso.

Alonso will 'support' Stroll after his F1 retirement

"He's always been very open and asking a lot of things on the driving side in terms of braking techniques. Different kinds of circuits as well. We identified also last year and this year together with the engineers, there are a couple of corners that he's strong, a couple of corners that I’m stronger," continued the 32-time Grand Prix winner. "Some circuits that historically I’ve been quite competitive and some circuits at that Lance has historically been very competitive. We try to understand why there is a pattern we follow and some corners that we like more than others, and the ones that we like less, we learn from our teammates. We've been very open and try to understand that. Even working on the simulator on those techniques. These kinds of things are obviously very important for the team. I’m here in this team for a very long-term project in my life and in my career. Even when I’m not driving, I hope Lance takes the lead of this team and I will support him even when I’m away from the wheel." Concluded Alonso, who's passionate about Aston Martin's F1 project.