Lance Stroll has decided to participate in this weekend’s GT World Challenge Europe event at Paul Ricard, citing Aston Martin’s continuing struggles in Formula 1. Stroll, a Canadian driver, will be racing Comtoyou Racing’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo alongside Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya. Despite being relatively new to sportscar racing, with only two previous appearances at the Daytona 24 Hours, Stroll is excited for the opportunity.
Aston Martin’s F1 team has faced challenges in performance and reliability in the 2026 season, leading to disappointing results for both Stroll and his teammate Fernando Alonso. This prompted Stroll to seek a change of pace and enjoy a more relaxed racing experience during the gap in the F1 calendar. Stroll expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to race in France and highlighted the competitive yet open landscape of sportscar racing.
Stroll’s goal for the weekend is to have an enjoyable experience while aiming for victory, something that is harder to achieve in Formula 1. The decision to race at Paul Ricard was made after a chance meeting with friends, including ex-F1 driver Merhi, during the Japanese GP. Stroll also mentioned discussions with Max Verstappen about GT racing, emphasizing the enjoyment of driving GT3 cars.
Looking ahead, Stroll is open to more outings in sportscar racing if he feels physically and mentally prepared. With an increasing interest from F1 drivers in disciplines outside of Formula 1, Stroll’s participation in the GT World Challenge Europe event signifies a broader trend.
