Lance Stroll has described some of his critics as ‘short-minded’, explaining that he just looks at criticism as ‘noise’, and that it doesn’t bother him as he goes about his work in the Formula One paddock.
Stroll has been in F1 for nine seasons, having made his debut with Williams in 2017 as a teenager. Despite scoring three podiums in midfield machinery and even a surprise pole position at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, he finds his seat under constant scrutiny from fans and pundits alike.
“I like to see it as just noise,” Stroll told the Aston Martin website. “If I buy into it, it bothers me, for sure, but that’s where I am fortunate. I have good people around me that I love, that I trust, and I put my attention and value their opinions. I try and live in my world, not the world in that sense.”
He went on to add: “There’s always going to be criticism. People are very short-minded. You have a couple of good races, you’re great. You have a couple of bad ones, you suck. That’s never going to change.
“That’s why being surrounded by important people and valuing the opinion of people that you care about, that you value, that you really know their opinion, is what matters. Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.”
With six rounds remaining in the 2025 campaign, Stroll and Aston Martin are in the midst of a tense scrap over sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship. Team Silverstone are currently four points behind Racing Bulls, while Sauber are 13 points behind them in eighth.
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However, the main focus for Stroll and team-mate Fernando Alonso is the 2026 season. With Adrian Newey on board after a legendary stint with Red Bull and bespoke Honda power units fuelling the new project, Aston Martin are well-positioned to hit the ground running when the new technical regulations come into effect.
Stroll believes that the difficulties Aston Martin have experienced over the past couple of seasons could help the team, too. “That’s the thing… we can talk about the podium and the poles, but let’s talk about the losses,” he said.
“I think that’s where you learn the most about yourself and to grow from those tough moments. I think that’s where you really grow as a person, as an athlete, driver, from those struggles, from those hard days.”
