Lance Stroll joins GT3 at Paul Ricard, echoing Max Verstappen’s dual‑program push

Lance Stroll made his GT World Challenge Europe debut at Paul Ricard, sharing the #18 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo in the six‑hour opener. The move comes during a rare five‑week F1 hiatus caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, and mirrors Max Verstappen’s recent forays into endurance racing.

Why it matters:

• Stroll’s GT entry could signal a shift in how F1 drivers balance schedules, potentially opening doors for more dual‑programs.
• Aston Martin may use the exposure to boost its GT brand while giving Stroll extra seat time amid a rocky start to the 2026 F1 season.
• Verstappen’s involvement in the Nürburgring Langstrecken‑Serie already shows that top‑level drivers can juggle both worlds without compromising performance.

The details:

• Stroll teamed with former F1 driver Roberto Merhi and F2 regular Mari Boya under the Comtoyou Racing banner.
• The opportunity surfaced after a dinner conversation with Merhi during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.
• Stroll consulted Verstappen at Suzuka about contacts in the endurance scene, leveraging the four‑time champion’s network.
• Verstappen is prepping for the Nürburgring 24‑Hour race in May while still leading Red Bull’s F1 campaign.
• Stroll previously finished 5th overall at the 2016 Daytona 24‑Hours for Ford Chip Ganassi Racing and 15th in 2018 with Jackie Chan DCR Jota.

What's next:

• If Stroll enjoys the GT experience, Aston Martin could expand a dual‑program for 2026, balancing F1 duties with a stronger GT presence.
• The upcoming season will reveal whether the five‑week hiatus is a one‑off chance or the start of a longer endurance calendar for the Canadian‑born driver.
• Verstappen’s own endurance schedule is likely to continue influencing other F1 drivers considering similar cross‑disciplinary moves.