Lance Stroll makes decision on Aston Martin future amid rumours of F1 exit

27 June 2024 , 09:35

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Lance Stroll will continue to race for Aston Martin in 2025 (Image: Getty Images)

Lance Stroll has committed to another season with Aston Martin.

Stroll's place with the team is one of the most secure on the Formula 1 grid, because his billionaire father Lawrence owns the team. As a result, there is rarely any doubt over his future with Aston Martin - though that has not necessarily been the case in recent months.

Questions had been raised over whether he wanted to continue to commit to the life of an F1 driver. However, he has now answered those by confirming his seat alongside Fernando Alonso next year.

Aston Martin said the decision will bring "valuable continuity" to the team and hinted at a multi-year deal for Stroll by suggesting he will "race into the new era of F1 regulations", which come into force from the 2026 season.

Stroll said: "I'm super happy to have committed to staying with the team for 2025 and beyond. It's amazing to see how far we've come in the last five years - we've grown so much as a team and there's still so much more to look forward to."

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And team principal Mike Krack added: "We are delighted to confirm Lance's future with Aston Martin Aramco. He has played a key role in building this team. His technical feedback, alongside his committed simulator work, has helped contribute to the continuous development of the car each season.

"The consistency and stability of both Lance and Fernando remaining with our team is a great platform to continue to realise our ambitions. We look forward to creating some more incredible memories and achieving further success together."

Lance Stroll will continue to partner Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin (Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Alonso's contract extension was announced earlier this year. The Spaniard ended speculation over a move to either Mercedes or Red Bull by committing to Aston Martin until at least the end of the 2026 season, by which time the double F1 champion will be 45 years old.

He said at the time: "We have incredible, talented people in the team now on the technical side [and] they will benefit from the new wind tunnel and the new facilities at Silverstone, so there were a lot of factors that made '26 very appealing with Aston, and that was a theme. But it's not only ‘26 - it's a lifetime project, in a way, for me.

"This is the longest contract I've ever signed in my career, so this is something that will keep me linked with Aston for many, many years to come. Let's see which role, let's see how many more years I will drive. But even after driving, I will use 25 plus years experience in F1 plus another 10 or 15 outside F1, so nearly 40 years of experience."

Daniel Moxon