F3: Stroll’s title quest resumes

Lance Stroll © DR

– Canadian teenager begins final nine-race championship run-in at the Nürburgring

Lance Stroll begins the final three-event run in to the finish of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship next weekend (9-11 Sep) re-energized after a six-week break and ready to resume his attack on the title at the Nürburgring. The 3.629km “short” track in Germany hosts rounds 22, 23 and 24 with Stroll leading the 30-race series that concludes in October by 61-points.

Lance has topped the standings since May having swept his Prema Powerteam Dallara F312-Mercedes to 11 podium placings including seven wins and just three no-score finishes. Underling Stroll’s speed is the fact the 17-year-old Montréal-born Canadian has started nine races from the front row – including seven poles – and has gone on to set five fastest race laps.
 
Stroll made his Nürburgring début in the corresponding event last September, qualifying on the front row for two races with the Williams Formula One Development driver placing ninth, third and second overall in the races – the latter being his best result at that stage of his maiden F3 season before going on to score his maiden F3 win in the very next race at Hockenheim. The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) “Rising Star” visited family in his native Canada and spent time with friends in Europe since the last event at Spa-Francorchamps in July. Qualifying is staged on Friday (1515 local & 1830) with Races 1 and 2 on Saturday at 0950 & 1710 respectively plus Race 3 on Sunday at 0945.

“ »Last year was a good event for me at the Nürburgring and my intention is to make this visit successful too. I wouldn’t say that the track is one of my favourites or that it particularly suits my [driving] style but it’s an enjoyable circuit to race on. It’s important that I get back to scoring big in all three races over the weekend like at the Red Bull Ring and Norisring. For a variety of reasons, that hasn’t happened at the last two events at Zandvoort and Spa. I spent most of the break in Canada but also was in Europe with friends.” »

Martyn Pass,

PUBLICITÉ