Photo credit – motorsports Photographer / Shutterstock.com
Lance Stroll is looking forward to racing with Fernando Alonso in 2023, claiming his pushy nature will be a boost.
Alonso joined the team from Alpine after Sebastian Vettel decided to retire at the end of the 2022 season.
Over the years, two time champion Alonso has developed a reputation for being fiercely competitive whilst also not being afraid to speak his mind.
And Lance Stroll believes the Spaniard’s arrival at the squad will have a positive impact.
“It’s no fun when you’re just kind of driving around with no one pushing you,” Stroll told Motorosport.com.
“I think what you want in a teammate is a guy that is at the top of his game. It means that when you get more out of it than him, you’re really at the top of your game, and vice versa.
“When you’re not getting the most out of it, it’s not that you can just sit back and relax. You’ve got to try and work harder.”
This year will be Stroll’s seventh in F1, but the Canadian admitted that he did not know Alonso that well prior to his arrival at Aston Martin.
But Stroll is relishing the experience of working alongside him as the team look to make progress in 2023.
He added: “We’ve spent some time together, just chatting and stuff on drivers parades and all that. He’s a nice guy and he’s a great driver, a big talent.
“It’s always interesting and exciting when someone like him, or like Seb [Vettel], comes to the team and has different ideas, or drives in a different way, and maybe wants different things in the car.
“It’s always interesting to hear what guys with that kind of experience have to say. In that sense, I’m definitely looking forward to having him in the team and working with him.”