Doing two issues without delay is notoriously tough. For a driver, dedicating any consideration to a aspect undertaking throughout a season is a dangerous proposition, however that’s precisely what is doing. The driver has confirmed he spoke with four-time F1 champion earlier than signing up for his GT3 debut this weekend at France’s Circuit Paul Ricard. Stroll additionally admitted that the F1 group’s struggles performed a direct function within the choice.
A Change of Surroundings
Stroll will pilot the #18 Comtoyou Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo within the opening spherical of the 2026 GT World Problem season, a six-hour endurance race. He joins a group that features former F1 driver Roberto Merhi and Spanish prospect Mari Boya. The choice to leap right into a GT automotive got here collectively rapidly, spurred by a five-week hole within the F1 calendar and Aston Martin’s irritating begin to the 2026 marketing campaign.
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Aston Martin at present sits on the backside of the Constructors’ standings, and Stroll has but to complete a single Grand Prix within the new Aston Martin AMR26. The group’s choice to maneuver to a brand new Honda energy unit has seen a plague of , severely limiting their observe time and growth.
When you’ve got ever questioned how an F1 group spends its downtime, now : taking a look at different . Stroll has admitted that, going through a season the place they lack a really aggressive automotive, the group sought to strive one thing new.
Following in Max Verstappen’s Footsteps
It’s no shock Stroll sought recommendation from Max Verstappen, who has develop into more and more concerned on the planet of GT racing. Verstappen’s personal group can be competing at Paul Ricard, and the Dutch driver is even scheduled to race within the 24 Hours of Nurburgring qualifiers this month.
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The Canadian admitted that he bounced concepts off Verstappen, particularly concerning who to speak to. The driver then casually dropped that Verstappen, like seemingly everybody else, finds piloting GT3 equipment genuinely pleasant.
This transfer sees Stroll dipping his toes right into a self-discipline that has captivated the Dutchman, providing a unique model of racing and automotive management.
“We talked about whom to contact, and since he’s already concerned in GT racing, we mentioned it a bit,” he advised Motorsport.com. “Everybody enjoys driving GT3 — they’re enjoyable.”
A Return to Endurance Racing
Whereas this marks Stroll’s GT3 debut, it’s not his first expertise in sportscar racing. The Canadian has twice competed within the prestigious , again in 2016 and 2018.
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His expertise in multi-class endurance racing might show beneficial throughout the six-hour occasion at Paul Ricard, which is able to run nearly totally at night time.
With the F1 season resuming in Miami at first of Might, this little bit of racing on the aspect can be distraction to clear his head, or it might perhaps even be the beginning of a brand new chapter in his racing profession. Ought to his F1 struggles proceed, don’t be stunned to see Stroll exploring extra GT racing alternatives sooner or later.
