Lance Stroll has rejected suggestions Aston Martin ‘got lucky’ with
its strong Sao Paulo Grand Prix qualifying performance – instead
believing the team “made their own luck.” With both cars in Q3 and
a storm fast approaching at Interlagos during Friday’s qualifying
session, Stroll stuck his AMR23 third fastest after the initial
runs of the final segment, 0.043s ahead of team-mate Fernando
Alonso. Those at the back of the 10 car pack had their times ruined
by a yellow flag for an off by Oscar Piastri at Juncao, with the
storm arriving moments later, leading to Q3 being abandoned. Third
is Stroll’s best result on the grid in nearly three seasons since
pole position at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix – and believes Aston’s
sharpness in sending both cars out early paid dividends as the team
looks to arrest its recent slide after a drop in performance.
Stroll rubbishes Aston Martin ‘lucky claims’ “I don’t think we were
lucky, I think we made our own luck,” Stroll told media including
RacingNews365. “We did well going at the front of the queue and
getting good track position as the weather was coming in, so I
think that was smart, but I still really felt like crap in the car.
“It was really tricky in Q3 and I think the wind changed direction,
so it was still really tough, but I think we did a good job getting
both cars, me and Fernando, at the front of the queue. “The team
did a good job of giving us an attempt at the front of the queue
and before the bad weather came in, and it looks like a lot of guys
missed their laps or didn’t get them in for whatever reason. “We
made our own luck today. “I don’t think we’re third on paper. The
conditions and stuff in Q3 were a little funny, but we managed to
execute it well, that’s for sure. “We’ll see what we can do in the
race, but it’s still a huge step [forward]from Mexico and [the
United States]. “We had a good race in Austin. But Friday and
Saturday were difficult, so today’s definitely the best qualifying
and pace we’ve had in a long time.”
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