Stroll and Perez Under Fire for F1 Spots Amid Doubts
Nov.11 - Two Formula 1 drivers are surviving in the sport for reasons of money rather than talent, prominent pundits suspect.
Lance Stroll has contested well over 160 grands prix for teams either funded or owned by his billionaire father Lawrence, including Williams, Racing Point and now Aston Martin.
The now 26-year-old has had scores of critics over those years, but they were arguably the loudest after the recent Brazilian GP - when Stroll spun and then beached his green car in the gravel trap on the formation lap.
"For me, there are a few things that don't seem right," former F1 driver Timo Glock is quoted by Speed Week. "Losing control of the car on the way to the starting grid? Ok, but then sinking it in the gravel like that - really?
"He also wrecked the car in qualifying."
Glock has further gripes about the Canadian.
"I'm bothered by this apathy when he steps in front of the reporters' cameras and microphones. There are one or two videos from press conferences and all you can do is shake your head," said the German.
"Behaviour like that leaves me speechless. This driver is really a laughing stock," Glock added. "For me, there are so many talented people out there who deserve a Formula 1 cockpit more than him."
Former Haas boss Gunther Steiner describes Stroll's formation lap spin at Interlagos as a "brain fart", questioning whether he even wants to be an F1 driver.
Another driver clinging to credibility at present is Sergio Perez, with many puzzled as to why Red Bull continues to cling to a driver struggling even to consistently score points.
Dutch racing driver Renger van der Zande, part of the Dutch punditry team for Ziggo Sport, thinks he knows the answer.
"I heard through the grapevine that Perez's sponsor has set up a TV program or series, where it is quite important that Sergio is in Formula 1 with Red Bull next year," he said.
"That's one of the reasons why they are still persisting with him," he added.
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is among those who think Red Bull should already have ousted the struggling Mexican. He told Blick newspaper that Yuki Tsunoda should have been put in Perez's seat two races ago.
"Then we would know now whether Yuki is really ready for the job next to Max (Verstappen)," he said.
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Lance most certainly won't get sacked, but voluntarily stepping down is another matter.
I agree with Glock regarding his general appearance & way of handling interviews, which is usually by giving short answers, although some of those are quite amusing.
As for Checo, I doubt some TV program would have any true relevance for Red Bull.
"Two Formula 1 drivers are surviving in the sport for reasons of money rather than talent" ~ exactement! It's sad that F1 encourages people to compete because of the bags of money they bring from their sponsors, or their father in Stroll's case. IMO it degrades F1 and brings the sport into disrepute. These people are supposedly the very best drivers competing in the epitome of motor sport. What a farce! In the mean time, there are some seriously talented drivers waiting in the wings while Stroll and Checo rob us from seeing better competition at the top level.
But wait ....... Rupert Murdoch and Elon Musk have just signed to drive for top F1 teams in 2025, bringing their wealth with them!
Reminder. Not sport, entertainment like professional wrestling or Gladiators on the tv and big business. Thought, if the people or company’s didn’t blow millions on f1 you could pay less for their products and services, expect your kit kat to shrink.
Not only in F1 check Hannahs brothers results in the BTCC, on talent? or his Sistors money?
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