Newey Backs Stroll Amid Monaco Qualifying Struggles
Monaco Grand Prix, May 2023 — Aston Martin’s chief technical partner, Adrian Newey, defended driver Lance Stroll following a challenging start to the weekend, underscoring the Canadian’s potential amid criticism.
Stroll incurred significant setbacks during the opening practice session at Monaco when he collided with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, resulting in a gearbox change and a one-place grid penalty. Although Stroll had qualified 19th, he retained this position after Oliver Bearman’s 10-place penalty, marking another difficult chapter in his season.
Team Principal Andy Cowell highlighted communication issues as the primary cause of the incident. “Our radio call wasn’t clear enough. We need to learn from that,” Cowell explained. He indicated that damage to the rear wishbone and floor necessitated the gearbox replacement.
Newey, attending his first race since joining Aston Martin, remains focused on future developments, including preparations for the 2026 regulatory changes. He expressed confidence in Stroll’s abilities, stating, “Lance has an unfairly bad rap… When you compare him against teammates like Checo Perez, Nico Hulkenberg, and Sebastian Vettel, he has been right there.”
Acknowledging the complexities of Formula 1, Newey emphasized that exceptional talent is required to reach this level. He maintained that Stroll is better than many perceive, noting the challenges of racing alongside two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.
Reflecting on Alonso’s character, Newey stated, “Fernando, he’s such a cool character. He’s been an enemy for many years, but I always wanted to work with him.” Newey reiterated his intent to leverage his expertise to enhance Aston Martin’s competitive edge as the season progresses.
As the team heads into the race weekend, the focus will be on turning setbacks into opportunities for growth and performance.
