Lance Stroll Blames "Stupid" Tyre Gamble for Las Vegas GP Qualifying Misstep
Lance Stroll lashed out at a "stupid" tire gamble during Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying that cost him a top-four starting position, pushing him down to 12th on the grid. The Aston Martin driver's switch to intermediate tires in Q2 backfired when he couldn't complete the planned number of flying laps, leaving him frustrated over a lost opportunity for a strong race result.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll was left fuming after a strategic gamble on tyre choice cost him a potential "top four" qualifying spot at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, relegating him to 12th on the grid. His teammate Fernando Alonso secured a more respectable seventh position.
Why it matters:
In a highly competitive and often unpredictable sport like Formula 1, strategic calls on tire choice can make or break a driver's weekend. For Stroll, this particular misjudgment in a wet Las Vegas qualifying session meant sacrificing a strong starting position that could have set him up for significant points in the race, especially as Aston Martin fights to consolidate its position in the constructors' championship.
The Details:
- Qualifying began with all cars on full-wet tires, a choice that initially benefited Stroll, who showed strong pace, finishing Q1 in fourth place.
- Moving into Q2, Stroll continued his promising run, logging the second-fastest time on his initial flying lap.
- The Gamble: Aston Martin then opted for a switch to intermediate tires for Stroll, while many rivals chose to remain on wets, anticipating a drying track or a strategic advantage that didn't materialize.
- The plan was for Stroll to complete three push laps on the intermediate tires in the closing stages of Q2. However, due to timing or track conditions, he only managed two, which proved insufficient.
- This failure to execute the planned three push laps ultimately dropped him out of contention and into the elimination zone.
- When questioned about the decision, Stroll candidly called the gamble "stupid in the end," clarifying that it was a "group decision" and not solely the team's fault.
- He expressed deep disappointment, stating, "We threw away a good opportunity today to fight for the top... probably top three, top four."
What's next:
Starting from 12th, Lance Stroll faces an uphill battle in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. While overtakes are possible on the long straights of the street circuit, making up significant ground will be challenging. He will need a flawless race, potentially benefiting from further strategic calls or incidents, to recover from this qualifying setback and salvage valuable points for Aston Martin in the penultimate race of the season.