Does Chandhok see opportunity for Verstappen? 'That's the elephant in the room'

Aston Martin starts the season without too many illusions. Of course, the British racing green team would love it if podium finishes could be achieved in 2025. But 2026 and beyond, that's when the ambitious team lead by Lawrence Stroll, really wants to reaps the rewards of their present work. With Max Verstappen perhaps, the driver who has been on Aston Martin's wish list for some time now.

Because yes, if Aston Martin is serious about competing for the top prizes, it needs a different driver line-up. Whether that's with Verstappen or not, Lance Stroll cannot be allowed to continue with the team - at least, that's what Karun Chandhok argues.

The former F1 driver turned TV pundit says Stroll is "the elephant in the room". "Lawrence Stroll has built an amazing factory with top engineering talent and has Fernando Alonso as a driver," Chandhok told F1 TV while reporting on the winter testing days. "So is Lance the weak link in that team? Looking purely statistically, it is clear those are the facts."

According to Chandhok, by now Stroll ought to be able to perform at the highest level week in, week out. If he fails to do so, the question is whether the Canadian will ever be able to do it? "He is no longer a newbie so what can he do to find consistency and rack up the points?"

The current analyst can only arrive at this conclusion: "If Aston Martin want to contend for the constructors' title, they need both drivers scoring points," Chandhok said.