Stroll Turns to Verstappen for Advice Ahead of Surprise GT3 Debut

Aston Martin F1 driver Lance Stroll will make a surprise GT3 racing debut this weekend at Paul Ricard, seeking advice from Max Verstappen to navigate the switch. The one-off entry in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup opener was hastily arranged during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, capitalizing on an unexpected gap in the F1 calendar after the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds.

Why it matters:

Stroll's move highlights how F1 drivers are increasingly using schedule gaps to explore other racing disciplines, maintaining sharpness and seeking pure competition. For Stroll, specifically, it offers a reset during a challenging start to his 2026 F1 season, where he has yet to be classified in a race, and a chance to experience a series where winning is a more immediate possibility compared to the stratified F1 grid.

The details:

• The idea was born over dinner at Suzuka with ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi, who will be his teammate this weekend alongside Aston Martin junior Mari Boya for the Comtoyou Racing team.
• Stroll confirmed he sought guidance from Max Verstappen, who has built significant GT racing experience over the past year, including plans for the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
• Verstappen's Role: The conversation focused on practical steps. "We talked about who to contact, and since he’s already involved in GT racing, we discussed it a bit," Stroll said.
• Logistical Sprint: Comtoyou Racing owner Jean-Michel Baert was crucial in organizing the drive. "We really organised this in just a few days while we were in Japan," Stroll noted.
• Stroll brings prior endurance experience from two Rolex 24 at Daytona appearances in prototypes, but this marks his first race in a production-based GT car.

What's next:

Stroll heads into the six-hour race with a field of nearly 60 cars, not just for experience but with an eye on a competitive result.

• He openly contrasts the opportunity with F1: "In Formula 1, you don’t always have the opportunity to win. Here... if everything comes together – winning is possible."
• His performance and comfort in the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 will be closely watched, potentially influencing his approach when he returns to F1 duty.
• The outing underscores a growing trend of F1 drivers crossing over to major GT events, following the path blazed by Verstappen and others.