Points finishes for Lance during Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint weekend

Formula One has adapted its Sprint format for 2023, with an all-new Sprint Shootout taking place on the Saturday morning to determine the grid for the Sprint race in the afternoon.

Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team faced DRS issues throughout the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, and this affected Lance and team-mate Fernando Alonso across the event.

Lance safely made it through into the final part of qualifying, but the issues limited him to ninth on the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix.

The issues would reoccur during the Sprint Shootout, but Lance was able to work his way into the top 10 once more, just half a hundredth of a second behind Alonso.

Starting ninth on the Medium tyres, Lance lost a position to the Soft-shod Lando Norris at the start, before a Safety Car was called.

Soon after the restart, Lance was able to get back past Norris, and started to close the gap to Alex Albon in front.

He worked his way past Albon on lap 12 and held eighth position until the end of the race for a championship point.

Lance started the Grand Prix also from ninth on the Mediums, and boldly displaced Norris and Yuki Tsunoda on the opening lap and sat behind Alonso.

He pitted when a Safety Car was called, but Aston Martin needed to double stack their drivers, and so Lance needed to build a gap.

He was passed by George Russell during the pitstop phase, but passed the other Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, and restarted in seventh.

He got by Russell on the restart to take sixth but was later passed by Hamilton.

Lance was later stuck in a train of cars and, unable to make up any positions, came home in seventh place.

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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One® Team Driver:

“It was pretty tough out there today. I was happy with my start, as well as the Safety Car restart, but I wasn't feeling super comfortable with the car once the race got going and made a slight mistake. A little misjudgement can end your day here, so I was fortunate to get away with brushing the wall and managed to continue with the race.

“Once Lewis passed me, it was just about maintaining position and holding off George for the remaining laps. He was pushing hard, but we managed the tyres well and I was able to keep him behind me.

“As a team, we definitely have a few things to work though ahead of Miami, but I think we need to be pleased to come away from the first Sprint weekend of the year with a decent haul of points to maintain second in the Constructors' Championship.”

Lance goes racing again in just a week on Sunday, May 7, for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix.