Big Interview: Lance Stroll has got more to prove than most

For a great deal of racing fans, Lance Stroll will always be a ‘pay driver’ who got his shot in the world’s most glamorous sport because of his father’s wealth.

Yet even the driver’s harshest critics would have to concede Stroll has pulled off some impressive feats over the past year.

After a slow start to his Formula One career that saw him retire in his first three races, the teenager pulled off the unthinkable when he finished third at an eventful Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Aged 18 years and 239 days at the time, he became the youngest rookie to ever step foot on the podium.

Then at the Italian Grand Prix, Stroll registered the fourth fastest time during a wet qualifying session.

But when Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen took grid penalties, he became the youngest Formula One driver in history to start on the front row of a race.

For Stroll, the achievements arrived even quicker than he was expecting.

“In my first year I achieved goals that I had actually set out to achieve over the next few years,” he said in an exclusive interview with the Express & Star. “To get on the podium, I never imagined that would happen. It was a very proud moment. But it has to just be the start. I know I can improve as a driver and be more competitive in all areas.

“Over the course of the year I’ve changed dramatically as a driver, I’ve learned a tremendous amount. I’m going to come back for the new season and be much stronger, both mentally and physically.”

Stroll first dreamt of becoming a Formula One driver when his dad bought him a cart at five years old.

Lawrence Stroll made billions from investing in fashion firms including Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

It has since been reported the arrival of Stroll junior at Williams netted the firm around £50million in sponsorship. To many racing fans, the wealthy family are using the sport as vanity project.

Yet Stroll has won numerous titles at junior levels. In 2014, he became Italian Formula Four champion.

He followed that up the following year by becoming Toyota Racing Series champion. Then in 2016 he became FIA Formula Three champion.

And he believes he deserves his shot in the glitzy world of F1.

“I believe I have earned my shot in Formula One,” he said. “I have won F3 and we all know F3 is a very high level.

“I have won F4 and other categories.

“I have got my super licence which the FAI put in place for that exact reason.

“They believe drivers need to win championships before they get into F1.

“All I now want to do is put my helmet on and go race. Williams believe in me. They are a team that has proven they work well with young drivers.

“I come from a background that when I win, people try to put me down, and when I lose, people try to put me down. I accept that and I actually find it kind of funny.”

Sitting down and speaking with Stroll is an eye-opening experience.

Billed as a spoilt rich kid by fans and some sections of the media, he comes across as anything but.

He is polite, easy to be around and friendly. There is also no hint whatsoever of an ego.

“Ask me anything you want,” were his words just before the interview started. “Even the difficult ones – I’ll answer as best I can.”

It was a refreshing stance from a young man who on a race day has the world watching him.

Yet it is clear he has built a thick skin. He knows he will always be looked upon as a fortunate rich kid until he reaches the top of his sport.

“I stay in my little bubble – that is what I try and do,” Stroll continued. “There is always noise out there and distractions, but you just have to block all that noise out.

“People will say things. The crucial thing for me is that I stick to my job.

“That is what I did in Azerbaijan. I blocked everything else out and I now do that in my life.

“In Baku I knew there were three very competitive drivers with quicker cars than me all chasing me down for that podium spot.

“I knew they were going to be on me right until the last lap and until I had crossed that finish line. I just had to take it corner by corner. I had to make sure I was right at the top of my game and I knew I couldn’t make any mistakes.

“I had to get the car home on the podium. It wasn’t easy, there were still 30 laps to go and I was in second position.

“It was a very challenging race and a very emotional race. But I did it. And it’s proven a valuable learning curve for me.”

When it comes to handling pressure, Stroll admits he is inspired by four-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.

“You saw in the title race last year how well Lewis handles pressure,” the 19-year-old said. “(Sebastian) Vettel folded, but Lewis was able to handle that expectation.

“His car wasn’t always easy to drive. Mercedes struggled at a few races.

“But he still managed to get the most out of it and score points when he had to.

“He was consistent throughout the whole year. He really was on it, he was determined to score points every weekend.

“Hats off to him, he completely deserves the success he has had.

“He is extremely talented and I hope I can have half the success he’s had in my career.”

While he looks up Hamilton, Stroll says Michael Schumacher is his true idol.

“Schumacher was my hero,” he said. “In the racing world he was the guy I looked up to when growing up.

“I was always fascinated by how much he achieved and how often he was winning. It was incredible.

“And off the track as well he was a true champion. He was humble, he always kept his feet on the ground and I respect that.”

There is no denying Stroll is as equally humble. But, looking ahead, he knows he has a big 12 months in store with the wraps about to come off next season’s cars.

“It was important I spent the off season reflecting,” he added. “I now feel a completely different driver to the one I was a year ago.

“I’ve got a lot improving to do. Qualifying in particular, I need to do better there.

“But I’m confident I will. I’ve got a big year ahead.”