Lance Stroll's 2020 season with Racing Point represented a significant step forward in his Formula 1 career, marked by flashes of exceptional performance and a more consistent presence in the points.
Going in
For the 2020 season, Lance Stroll remained with the BWT Racing Point F1 Team, driving the RP20. The car, often colloquially referred to as the "Pink Mercedes" due to its design philosophy mirroring the dominant Mercedes W10 from 2019, arrived with considerable expectation. The V6 turbo-hybrid era had seen Mercedes establish a formidable advantage, and the RP20 aimed to leverage this design approach to challenge the midfield front-runners. Stroll, entering his fourth season in Formula 1, aimed to build on a 2019 campaign that saw him demonstrate improved consistency. The competitive nature of the RP20 provided him with the machinery to contend for higher points finishes and potentially podiums, a significant opportunity in the tightly contested midfield.
How it played out
The season began with Stroll consistently in the points, demonstrating the RP20's strong pace. Early races saw him secure solid finishes, including a fourth place at the Hungarian Grand Prix, highlighting the car's potential on various circuit types. The mid-season brought a significant highlight at the Italian Grand Prix, where Stroll capitalized on a chaotic race, including a red flag and safety car restart, to secure his second career podium finish by taking third place. This performance underscored his ability to remain composed and seize opportunities when they arose. However, this period also featured some setbacks, including retirements at Mugello and Portimão, some due to contact, which impacted his championship standing.
The most notable moment arrived at the Turkish Grand Prix. In exceptionally challenging wet conditions, Stroll delivered a standout performance to claim his maiden Formula 1 pole position. He led a significant portion of the race before tire degradation affected his pace, ultimately finishing ninth. This pole position was a clear demonstration of his raw speed and adaptability in adverse conditions. The season was also disrupted by an unexpected challenge when Stroll contracted COVID-19, forcing him to miss the Eifel Grand Prix, where he was replaced by Nico Hülkenberg. This absence broke his momentum and contributed to a more inconsistent latter part of the season. His teammate, Sergio Pérez, generally maintained a high level of performance throughout the year, finishing ahead in the Drivers' Championship despite missing two races himself. Stroll concluded the season 11th in the Drivers' Championship with 75 points, contributing to Racing Point's fourth-place finish in the Constructors' standings (after a points deduction).
Defining moments
- Italian Grand Prix (P3): This podium finish was a crucial validation of Stroll's ability to convert opportunity into a tangible result, showcasing his race craft in a high-pressure scenario. It was a significant moment in a season where George Russell — 2022 season and George Russell — 2023 season would later also demonstrate their capacity to seize opportunities in competitive machinery.
- Turkish Grand Prix (Pole Position): Securing pole position in the treacherous conditions at Istanbul Park was a career highlight, demonstrating a clear peak in performance and proving his capacity to extract maximum pace from the car when conditions were at their most demanding. This contrasted with the challenges faced by drivers in less competitive cars, such as George Russell — 2021 season often experienced at Williams.
- COVID-19 Absence (Eifel Grand Prix): Missing a race due to illness was a significant disruption, breaking his competitive rhythm and highlighting the external factors that can influence a driver's season trajectory.
What it meant
Stroll's 2020 season demonstrated a clear step forward in his career. The competitive RP20 allowed him to showcase his potential more consistently than in previous years with less capable machinery. While consistency remained an area for development, particularly in converting strong qualifying positions into equivalent race finishes, the pole position and podium were undeniable high points. The season solidified his position within the team as it transitioned into the Aston Martin F1 Team for 2021, providing a foundation for future campaigns with increased manufacturer backing. It proved that when provided with a competitive package in the turbo-hybrid era, Stroll could deliver notable results.
