Lance Stroll’s latest attack on his Aston Martin team has put him in hot water with one of Formula 1’s harshest critics.
The British squad have had a season to forget, having essentially halted development on their car ahead of the 2026 rule changes.
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Last time out at Silverstone, just over the road from their state of the art factory, both Aston drivers were picked up critiquing their car over team radio.
Fernando Alonso got two points in ninth but told his engineer he ‘never gets it [strategy] right’ while Stroll was even less complimentary despite his second best result of the season – seventh.
It looked like the Canadian may make the podium earlier on in the race due to the wet conditions, but after dropping back in the closing laps he responded to praise from his engineer in brutal fashion.
“I mean it’s the worst piece of s*** I’ve ever driven to be honest,” he said over the radio, a moment that was quickly broadcast.
Stroll was on for his fourth F1 podium before fading back, an achievement that would have silenced his critics.
Long singled-out due to his billionaire father Lawrence owning the team, Ralf Schumacher thinks that may have played a park in his latest sulk.
“I have to say, this statement is very disappointing, and quite honestly, it’s a question of manners. You have to imagine the external impact,” the Sky Germany pundit said.
“The mechanics who work there day in, day out so that the two can race – and then the boss’s son comes along and says: ‘Wonderful, and with such a crappy car.’
“I have to say, that’s completely unacceptable, that’s an absolute no-go.
“It’s unspeakable and indicates a poor upbringing. I really don’t know what movie he’s living in, but it’s a shame to ruin his own result like that.”
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Schumacher then finished by adding: “Dear Lance, apologise to the team.”
Stroll currently has one of the toughest jobs in F1 as the teammate of two-time champion Fernando Alonso who has trounced him on qualifying and race pace.
And matters haven’t been helped this term with team principal Andy Cowell telling talkSPORT.com and the associated media at Silverstone that 99 per cent of the car development will be on 2026 from the Belgian Grand Prix onwards.
That’s because Aston Martin have signed the sport’s greatest ever car designer, Adrian Newey, ahead of next year’s sweeping regulation changes.
However, despite being hamstrung for 2025, it doesn’t excuse Stroll’s behaviour, with the BBC alleging that he ‘lost his temper’ in the team’s garage during the Spanish Grand Prix.
The 26-year-old, who was previously spotted seemingly shoving his trainer, was said to have injured his wrist and damaged equipment during the outburst, but Aston denied the two incidents were related, simply stating: “Lance was upset.”