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

20:00, 27 Feb
5 Comments

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."

Chandhok sees no more excuses for Stroll

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.

5 Comments
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Vegan Warrior 27 February 2025 at 22:53+ 4951

Stroll is not gonna boot his son . His son is the reason he doing what he is doing and I won't fault him for that at all.

iamlegend 28 February 2025 at 20:58+ 727

He kick his son out very easily for Max, Lance likes other sports like bicycles, and father stroll is in it to make money.

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Vegan Warrior 28 February 2025 at 21:43+ 4951

It's a fair point you make . In normal circumstances that would be the case. What's unique here is that AM exists because Stroll wanted his son to race in F1 and become a WDC . That's been the goal and why he has done all that he doing. When Stroll JR leaves F1 he will sell the team. This endeavor is not profitable for Stroll he burns more money than he is making .

iamlegend 28 February 2025 at 21:45+ 727

It maybe started as a gift for his son, but now it's all about the dollars.

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Vegan Warrior 28 February 2025 at 21:52+ 4951

I did say that AM is not making a lot or any money for Stroll Snr. https://f1i.com/news/519878-aston-martin-f1-significantly-reduces-loss-for-fiscal-year-2023.html