Formula 1

STROLL, MANY MISTAKES COST HIM THE VICTORY

Published

2 years ago

06/12/2020

STROLL MANY MISTAKES COST HIM THE VICTORY

Although Stroll was able to come home in third place, for his second podium finish of the season, he could not hide his disappointment afterwards after missing out on a clear shot at the win.

Lance Stroll believes his mistake out of the pits cost him a shot of winning the Sakhir F1 Grand Prix.

The Canadian was running ahead of Ocon and eventual race winner and teammate Sergio Perez before making his one and only stop for fresh medium tyres.

Stroll ran wide on the exit of pits which allowed Ocon to get past through Turn 4.

As he battled Perez for the position, he ran wide at Turn 4 allowing the Mexican to get through.

Stroll managed to maintain third place to secure his second podium of 2020 but without his mistakes, he believes he could have won the race.

“A part of me is a little bit disappointed that I think I could have won the race,” Stroll said. “I went a little bit deep on my pit exit after my pitstop, and Esteban managed to get by me. Then I just didn’t have the pace.

“I locked up and Sergio went by, but I just didn’t really have the pace to overtake Esteban. I got held up there a little bit. But all in all very happy for the team.

“I mean it’s an unbelievable result and first and third is exactly what we needed this weekend for the championship.”

Speaking of his mistake out of the pits, Stroll added: “I think being in the fight with Esteban and Sergio, I was late on the DRS actually out of three.

“Sergio got a good run on me and then I was defending. I just miscalculated it, braked a little bit late and locked up.

“It one of those things but I am super happy for Sergio. He’s got a couple of races left for the team. He has been up there for such a long time waiting for the win and it came this weekend, so I am really happy for him.”

Racing Point’s 1-3 finish means it has a stronghold on third place in the constructors’ championship, with it ten points ahead of McLaren with one round in Abu Dhabi to go.