Because we are in Montreal, and because it rained – and it will rain again – eyes naturally turn to Lance Stroll and Aston Martin. The team, however, has not offered anything very appetizing to Formula 1 fans since the start of the season. To the point that, when it comes to green single-seaters, what will happen in 2025 seems to get more attention than what is happening on the track these days.

The team’s setbacks are documented. After a fantastic start to the campaign last year, the return to reality was brutal. Several times in recent days, Stroll has indicated that a good weekend at Aston Martin now comes down to “small points” in the standings. One, sometimes two. It could be worse, but not that much.

This championship hasn’t gotten off to a bad start for Alonso, who scored points in his first six races. However, at Imola and Monaco, it was even more painful for him (19th, 11th) than for his teammate (9th, 14th).

Within the team, there is talk of constant adjustments and a season that is still young, with 15 races left, including Montreal. And there is hope, even optimism.

“I think we’re in a better position than last year,” Alonso said Thursday during a press scrum. “It’s hard to translate it into [points], because we’re not close to the podium anymore, but we’re fully aware of the situation, the needs of the car and what’s going well or not in the development. Grey areas from last year are now black and white.”

In particular, “what looks good on paper” is not necessarily good once on the track. The Montrealer evokes changes in “philosophy”, “mentality”, particularly on the aerodynamic level, which will ultimately bear fruit.

Because we have no illusions at Aston Martin. The car developed for 2024 is “hard to drive,” team leader Mike Krack agreed on Friday.

The adjustments made, he believes, will allow riders to further maximize the “potential” of their mount. “They will be able to drive with more confidence,” said the manager. It’s not something that can be resolved in two races, but we try to get there as quickly as possible. »

The team is still young, Alonso points out. This is only its fourth season on the circuit. “Two years ago we were a team of 300 people; today we are over 900,” he said. “It’s a bit unfair to compare us to Ferrari or Mercedes, teams that have been established for a long time.”

“We have several infrastructure projects in progress,” said Mike Krack. For example, last fall the organization opened a state-of-the-art factory in Silverstone, United Kingdom. The pieces of the puzzle come together, slowly.

“We have a foundation to build on. The results will come,” he predicted.

If the future of the team attracts attention, it is nothing compared to the future of its drivers. That of one more than that of the other, in fact.

The case of Fernando Alonso has been resolved for a few weeks, since he signed a contract which will bind him to the team until 2026. It could well be his last contract in F1, he himself admitted.

It’s less clear when it comes to Lance Stroll. With details of his association with the team not made public, there remains a vagueness about his status, which industry observers, serious or not, revel in.

Mike Krack did little to put an end to the speculation by simply talking about the “good exchanges” between the rider and his employer. “Aston Martin is Lance’s home,” he continued. Soon, we believe that we will be able to communicate positive things. »

During a press briefing hosted by the FIA, the host provided Stroll with the perfect opportunity to discuss his long-term commitment to the team his father owns.

“That’s where my head is, that’s for sure,” the runner replied, tersely, before noting that it had been a “popular question” for some time. He added to the “exciting” plans at Silverstone, but never confirmed, by name, that he would be on the starting grid in 2025.

Later in the day, during a casual discussion, a reporter bluntly asked him if he could see himself doing “something other than car racing,” a thinly veiled reference to the rumor heard earlier this season. , according to which he would bow out at the end of 2024.

“I have little plans,” he replied. Other sports interest me – skiing in winter, golf… But right now I’m focusing on F1. »

The same reporter followed him up by asking him if he was interested in fashion, an industry that made his father Lawrence’s fortune. “Not as much as racing right now,” Stroll insisted.

“Right now…” his interlocutor repeated as the press briefing ended.

The discussion was closed… for now. Because the rumors don’t seem to be about to stop.