Stroll sought Verstappen's advice before surprise GT racing debut

Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll revealed he consulted reigning world champion Max Verstappen before committing to a surprise GT racing debut this weekend, filling an unexpected gap in the Formula 1 calendar. Stroll will race an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 at Paul Ricard in the GT World Challenge Europe opener, sharing the car with ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi and Aston Martin junior Mari Boya.

Why it matters:

For an F1 driver, jumping into a different racing discipline during a season break is a significant commitment that requires careful planning and reliable contacts. Stroll turning to Verstappen—who is actively involved in GT racing himself—highlights the practical networking and peer advice that happens behind the scenes in the paddock. It also shows drivers seizing unique opportunities to stay race-sharp and gain experience when the F1 schedule unexpectedly clears.

The details:

• The plan was hatched during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend over dinner with Roberto Merhi, discussing what to do during the extended break caused by the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian F1 rounds.
• Stroll described his conversation with Verstappen at Suzuka as "brief," focusing on who to contact to make the GT drive happen, leveraging the Dutchman's own recent forays into sportscar racing.
• The Aston Martin driver thanked Comtoyou Racing team principal Jean-Michel Baert for organizing the drive incredibly quickly, stating everything was arranged "in just a few days while we were in Japan."
• Stroll has prior sportscar experience from two Daytona 24 Hours starts but will be making his GT3 racing debut in the competitive Pro class at Paul Ricard.
• He admitted a primary motivation is the chance to fight for a win, a feeling often absent in his current F1 midfield role, noting that with a good setup, victory is "possible" despite the team's lack of experience together.

What's next:

Stroll's GT debut is a one-off for now, but it demonstrates his desire to race whenever possible and could pave the way for more sportscar appearances in future F1 off-weeks. His performance and feedback will also be closely watched by the Aston Martin F1 team, as any additional racing mileage can contribute to overall driver development. For Verstappen, his role as an informal advisor underscores his growing influence and involvement in the wider racing world beyond his F1 domination.