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Lance Stroll recovered in time from his wrist injury to participate in his home race in Montréal. During the media day press conference, the Canadian was a hot topic, but he seemed notably disinterested. A week later, Esteban Ocon comes to his colleague’s defense. “I know he doesn’t talk much, but he is open with people he trusts,” he said.
Lance Stroll made his debut in the premier class of motorsport in 2017, with his father as a significant financial backer. Lawrence Stroll now owns the Formula 1 team Aston Martin, ensuring his son’s seat is secure for the foreseeable future.
Stroll had to miss the Spanish Grand Prix due to a recurring wrist injury, but he was back in action during the recent race weekend in Montréal. However, his demeanor during the press conference was perceived as disinterested and arrogant, as he casually chewed gum. This resulted in a wave of negative reactions.
‘He’s genuinely nice’
Esteban Ocon now stands up for his colleague. “I know he doesn’t talk much, but he is open with people he trusts,” the Frenchman told Le Journal de Montréal, suspecting that Stroll’s attitude is often misinterpreted. “He’s genuinely nice, and so is his father. Many people won’t understand this, but Lance has a tremendous passion for racing. He cares much less about everything else; he truly loves driving the car.”
Ocon has known Stroll since their karting days, where they competed against the likes of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. The Canadian’s abilities are frequently questioned, but Ocon believes this is unjust. “Lance managed to win international kart races when Verstappen, Leclerc, and I were active. We all raced against each other, and Lance was definitely part of that. It’s not as if money brought him into Formula 1. There may be easier ways to get into the sport, but in the end, you don’t bring money into the car.”
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