Lance Stroll spent years admiring Fernando Alonso before eventually becoming his teammate at Aston Martin. Their relationship dates back more than a decade and that seems to be the foundation of the green team’s success this season.

“I wouldn’t say we were in a relationship when I was 12. I was just a fan,” said the Quebecer initially in an interview published on the Formula 1 website on Tuesday.

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To give you an idea, when Stroll first met Alonso in 2010, it was his first season at the wheel of a Ferrari. It was his fourth team after moving to Minardi, Renault (twice) and McLaren. In fact, Stroll was three years old in his first season in 2001. It came at just the right time to witness the Spaniard’s greatest successes, including back-to-back world titles in 2005 and 2006.

The 24-year-old Montrealer was a long way from the pro scene at the time, but he’s held the same respect for the veteran over the years. The two men were rivals for five seasons before being reunited by the British team in 2024.

Much respect

At 41, Alonso shows no signs of slowing down and still seems to be enjoying competing in Formula 1 despite it being his 20th season. He’s a good mentor to Stroll, who didn’t have the same relationship with Sebastian Vettel.

“I really enjoy working with him,” continued the rider from La Belle province. He is incredibly talented, smart, experienced and strives to bring out the best in himself every day. I have a lot of respect for him because he’s been doing this for so long.

With a very powerful AMR23 single seater, the Aston Martins were able to achieve good results at the beginning of the year. With 102 points, they are in second place in the constructors’ championship.

“We have a great synergy in the team and the car was very comfortable to drive. I think our relationship is great as we both try to get more out of the car every weekend.”

When is the podium?

Still, the Canadian is overshadowed by his famous teammate. Alonso has had four podiums in five events while his pal has been on the hunt for a first top-three finish since 2020.

“It’s been a long time,” Stroll said. But you know, I want to be on the podium. I will continue to drive my car as fast as I can. If it happens, it will happen and it will be great. My job behind the wheel remains the same.”

Despite torrential rain and flooding in Imola, F1 drivers and their teams are preparing for the weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.