Lawrence Stroll: Aston Martin should be taken seriously

Lawrence Stroll, owner of Aston Martin F1, is looking forward to the podium in the first race of the season, which Fernando Alonso secured for the team, as he stressed that everything is going according to the plan he spoke about two years ago when he promised that in five years they would battle for championship victory.

Q: How is your mood after the first Grand Prix of the season?
Lawrence Walk: I remember someone said to me after the tests, “You’re lucky, you looked really good on the tests!” I can say that in my life there were many examples of the fact that the harder I work, the luckier I am.

A few years ago I said that in five years we would have to fight for victory in the championship, and I think a lot of people doubted that at the time. These people were understandable, because we were in a very different position back then and still had the legacy that we inherited from Force India.

Then there was a transition period when the team was called Racing Point, and now it’s Aston Martin. We’ve made some serious changes: our workforce used to be 400, now it’s 740; we’re building a great new base, but we’re not moving there until May 1, so the progress we’re making this year isn’t about the new infrastructure.

I think they owe more to my passionate desire to make Aston Martin a great team and to understand what can be done to achieve this. I have to inspire and encourage everyone, that’s the most important thing. That’s why new people come to us and we have a vision for the future – we plan to win! We understand our mission, we are following the plan I outlined two years ago and the podium in Bahrain is the first sign that we are on the right track.

This is only the first race of the season, the first step has already been taken and I am very proud of our entire team for creating this incredible car. I also want to thank my son Lance because he had surgery just two weeks ago, after which he said he would start in Bahrain.

I said ok!” although I didn’t believe it at the time. But he overcame everything with the help of excellent medical specialists and performed in the Grand Prix, although he missed all the pre-season tests. Still, despite the consequences of the injury, Lance showed an excellent see result.

All this is impressive and proves that Aston Martin has to be taken seriously and that in a few years we will be fighting for championship victory, I promise.

Q: Now it’s clear why many share your view of the team’s prospects…
Lawrence Walk: This is true. But what has been achieved is the result of the efforts of many people, including me, I am grateful even to those who did not believe in us. I hope we continue to prove all these people wrong.

Q: What has your team gained with the arrival of Fernando Alonso?
Lawrence Walk: Fernando and I have known each other for a long time, since he drove for Ferrari, and Lance studied at the Ferrari Racing Academy – that was 12 years ago. Alonso is of course one of the best racers and he believed my vision. I shared my plans for the future with him and since he has known me for so many years, he said he would like to build this future with us. That’s why I decided to join us.

Question: What results do you think are realistically achievable this season?
Lawrence Walk: I don’t want to set specific goals for the team, but we will do everything we can to get good results. I think we have already shown what we are capable of. Of course the rivals will progress as the season progresses, modernize their equipment, as everything has just begun, but we will also strive to improve the efficiency of the chassis, while continuing to conduct aerodynamic research and testing with CFD technologies.

If the year as a whole is going well, I don’t see the need to talk about specific goals.