Stroll admits it’s been a fight to maintain his belief in the Aston Martin F1 program

Lance Stroll says his belief in the Aston Martin project has been tested at times during its tough start to 2026, but that all of the elements are in place for future success.

Aston Martin has partnered with Honda to become a works team for the first time and the arrival of Adrian Newey increased hopes that it could be competitive at the front of the field under the 2026 regulations. However, despite a huge new factory and wind tunnel, Aston Martin and Honda delivered a slow and unreliable car to start the season, and Stroll says it's a time that challenges those within the team.

“We have all the elements to become a winning team, it's just about unlocking that potential,” Stroll told the Aston Martin website. “I firmly believe in this project, even though right now we're experiencing some difficult times. The future is very bright and I want to ride this tough spell out and be part of the journey we're on.

“I think they do both [strengthen and test belief]. Difficult moments always test you, but they also show you who really believes in what you're building.

“It's easy to believe when results are coming and everything feels good. The real challenge is staying committed when things are harder and you have to work through problems together. That's part of building a top Formula 1 team. I genuinely believe the foundations we're putting in place now can lead to something very special in the future.”

Ahead of his home race, the Canadian says he has dealt with the disappointing start to the season by focusing on the bigger picture of what Aston Martin could achieve in time.

“You have to stay grounded and keep perspective. In Formula 1, things move very quickly. A few months can completely change the picture, so if you get too emotional with either the highs or the lows, it's difficult to stay focused on what actually matters.

“As drivers, we all want to be fighting at the front. When you're going through tougher periods, of course it's frustrating because everyone in the team is working incredibly hard and wants more. But those moments are also part of building something. You've got to keep working, stay honest about where you need to improve and trust the process, even when the results aren't immediately there.”