Lance Stroll is looking forward to his GT3 premiere at Le Castellet and reveals that he is not just competing for fun – further outings possible over the course of the year?
Lance Stroll is using the forced Formula 1 break in April to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe season opener at Le Castellet this weekend. The Aston Martin driver has now revealed that he wants to have fun there first and foremost.
At the same time, however, he also made it clear: “In Formula 1, you don’t always have the chance to win. The competition here is very tough, but even if it’s our first time and we lack experience: If everything fits together – good set-up, good feeling – a win is possible.“
”You don’t really get that in Formula 1. That’s also a big motivation for me to be here,” he emphasizes. In other words: even if the focus is on having fun, Stroll is not just here to fill up the field with his team-mates Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya.
Aparticularly as Stroll is currently only lagging behind in Formula 1. After the first three races of the 2026 season, Aston Martin is in eleventh and last place in the world championship, behind newcomer Cadillac. A sense of achievement in a GT3 car would therefore be just the thing after a difficult start to the season.
GT3 fun versus Formula 1 frustration?
Stroll, who drove his first sports car races at Daytona in 2016 and 2018, explains: “I really enjoyed the 24 Hours of Daytona. It’s a race that I really loved.” He now wants to build on this experience.
“Since then, I’ve been fully focused on Formula 1, but this year we don’t have a particularly competitive car and now we have a break from racing,” says Stroll, who explains: “That’s why I came up with the idea of adding a bit of variety.”
Max Verstappen has already shown how it can be done. The Dutchman has been competing on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife on a regular basis since last year and will also take part in the 24-hour race for the first time this year.
Stroll reveals that he has already spoken to Verstappen about his own involvement in the GT3 car. “As he is already active in GT racing, we discussed it a little. Everyone likes driving GT3 cars, they’re fun,” explains the Canadian.
When asked whether he would also like to drive more sports car races this year, he replies: “If I feel physically and mentally well, yes, I would like to take part in more races during the year.”