Lance Stroll's 2021 Formula 1 season was characterized by his efforts to extract performance from the Aston Martin AMR21, a car that struggled to consistently compete at the front of the mid-field following significant aerodynamic regulation changes.
Going in
Returning for his fifth season, Lance Stroll entered 2021 with a new team identity, as Racing Point rebranded to Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team. This marked a significant moment for the Silverstone-based outfit, bringing with it increased expectations and the arrival of four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel as his teammate. The AMR21, designed under the new regulations, retained a low-rake aerodynamic philosophy, similar to the dominant Mercedes W12. However, the floor cuts introduced for 2021 disproportionately affected low-rake cars, making the AMR21 inherently less competitive than its predecessor, the RP20, which had been a strong contender in 2020. Stroll, having secured two podiums and a pole position in 2020, aimed to build on that momentum, but the car's foundational characteristics presented a new challenge.
How it played out
The season saw Stroll and Aston Martin largely battling in the lower half of the points-paying positions. Consistency became a key theme for Stroll, as he frequently found himself in contention for P7-P10, often extracting the maximum from a car that lacked outright pace compared to rivals like Ferrari and McLaren. While teammate Sebastian Vettel secured a surprise podium in Baku, Stroll’s season was marked by a series of solid, if unspectacular, points finishes. He demonstrated strong race craft in several events, managing tires and navigating traffic effectively. The head-to-head battle with Vettel was close, with Vettel ultimately finishing ahead in the Drivers' Championship by nine points (43 to Stroll's 34), largely due to his Baku result. Stroll's qualifying performance showed flashes of potential, but the AMR21's race pace often dictated his ultimate finishing position. Drivers like George Russell — 2021 season in the Williams also faced similar struggles with car performance, highlighting the impact of the regulatory changes on various teams.
Defining moments
One of Stroll's strongest performances came at the Qatar Grand Prix, where he secured a well-earned P6 finish, his best result of the season. This race highlighted his ability to capitalize on opportunities and manage the car's performance over a full race distance. Earlier in the year, he also delivered a P7 finish at the Italian Grand Prix, a circuit that traditionally rewards outright speed. Other notable points finishes included P8 in Spain, Monaco, and Russia, demonstrating a consistent ability to bring the car home in the points when possible. Conversely, incidents like his retirement from the British Grand Prix due to damage after contact with Charles Leclerc, and a DNF in Mexico due to a collision with Valtteri Bottas, prevented him from converting potential points into actual championship gains.
What it meant
Lance Stroll concluded the 2021 season 13th in the Drivers' Championship with 34 points, contributing to Aston Martin's 7th place finish in the Constructors' Championship. While the team's debut year under the Aston Martin banner didn't yield the immediate front-running success some might have hoped for, Stroll's performance demonstrated his resilience and ability to perform under challenging circumstances. His consistent points scoring was crucial for the team, even if the car's limitations often placed a ceiling on his potential. The experience gained in adapting to a new team dynamic and a challenging car set the stage for future seasons, much like how George Russell — 2020 season honed his skills in a less competitive car before his eventual move to Mercedes. The 2021 season proved to be a foundational year for Aston Martin, and Stroll's role in that initial phase was significant, laying groundwork for the team's continued development into 2022 and beyond, a trajectory that would also see George Russell — 2022 season make a significant step forward in his career.
