Lance Stroll surpasses Jacques Villeneuve to hold new Canadian F1 record at Las Vegas Grand Prix

LAS VEGAS | It was at a strange and embarrassing moment in his season as well as a low point in his career that Lance Stroll surpassed Canadian motorsport legends. Having participated in 164 grand prix and starting with this race in Las Vegas, he is now the most seasoned Canadian driver in Formula 1 history.

There are not many of them, you might rightly say. Nevertheless, Stroll dethrones Jacques Villeneuve, his father Gilles and his uncle Jacques, in addition to Nicholas Latifi, among the best known and fresh in the memory of racing fans.

But adding Allan Berg, Peter Broeker, John Cordts and Eppie Wietzes, among others, there are 15 Canadians in total to have participated in at least one grand prix in their life.

In the books, Stroll officially recorded this 164th appearance in a grand prix in Brazil two weeks ago. But he never started this incredible race in the rain at Interlagos.

Awkward moment

After crashing and damaging his car in qualifying a few hours before the start, he again lost control of his car during the formation lap.

And in a gesture that still remains inexplicable, illogical and stupid, worthy of a major brain cramp according to experts, he decided to cross the gravel trap to get back on the track, stranding a boat on a sandbank in the sea. of the Caribbean. He never started, a first since his debut in 2017.

Embarrassing, therefore, for the F1 driver destined to become the most seasoned in Canada…

Prise 2

In Vegas on Saturday night, he will have this other opportunity to really surpass Jacques Villeneuve. But only in the career grand prix column and not in the victories column. Because he is far from the mark with his zero points against the 11 of Jacques who is also decorated with his world champion title in 1997.

“I didn’t know at all that I was tied with him,” admitted Stroll at a press briefing on Wednesday evening in the paddocks of the Sin City circuit. We have a lot of racing in F1 these days.”

Indeed, this season has 24 stages. In Jacques Villeneuve’s last season, the 2006 calendar included 18 races. At the time of Gilles in the 70s, there were around fifteen.

Stroll is not crazy, he knows that the Villeneuves are associated with the successes of Quebecers and Canadians in F1.

Since his first laps in 2017, he has had his exciting moments and his difficult moments like this year.

He would obviously like to be recognized other than the number of grand prix contested.

“We can always do things differently and better. Competitive cars always help you do better, that’s for sure, said the man who drove the Williams tractor in 2017 and 2018 before making the jump to Racing Point, where the car was competitive, and then drove for Aston Martin.

“I enjoyed the weekends with the fast cars in which I felt good and which were pleasant for me to cross the finish line in a good position on Sunday. I have also been in the other seat with bad cars and bad races,” continued the man who has three podiums, but who is still looking for that first victory.

Eyes towards 2025

For 15 months, Stroll has been experiencing more difficult times. Often singled out for his attitude, his nonchalance and his poor performances on the track, his place on the grid is constantly called into question being ensured by the presence of his father at the head of the British team.

In the home stretch of his career, his teammate Fernando Alonso sees good qualities in him, particularly in understanding and improving the car. In the not-so-distant future, he sees him as the leader of the stable.

By adding races to his file, Stroll only expresses wishes.

“I look to the future. I want to be more competitive and I want the team to be competitive too. This was the case at the start of last season when we were fighting in the leading pack. With these ambitions, we can fight for victories.”

The number of Grand Prix contested by the main Canadians in the history of F1

164: Jacques Villeneuve (11 victories), Lance Stroll (0 victories)

67: Gilles Villeneuve (6 victories)

61: Nicholas Latifi (0 victory)

11 : George Eaton (0 victoire)

9: Allen Berg (0 wins)

3: Jacques Villeneuve Sénior (0 victory)