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Lance Stroll blasts gamble which cost him "top four" in F1 Las Vegas GP qualifying

2025-11-22 05:39
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Lance Stroll blasts gamble which cost him "top four" in F1 Las Vegas GP qualifying

The Aston Martin driver will start 12th in Las Vegas after a wet qualifying

Lance Stroll blasts gamble which cost him "top four" in F1 Las Vegas GP qualifyingStory byMotorsport photoMotorsport photoEd HardySat, November 22, 2025 at 5:39 AM UTC·7 min read

Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll blasted the “stupid” gamble which cost him a “top four” result in qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old will start the race in 12th after a wet session around the Nevada street track, while team-mate Fernando Alonso is seventh.

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It came after cars started qualifying on the full-wet tyre, which initially worked well for Stroll, who finished fourth in Q1 and was looking good for a solid result.

Such promise initially continued into Q2 as the Canadian went second on his first flying lap, but then Aston Martin gambled with a switch to the intermediate tyre while others stayed on wets.

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The aim was to do three push laps in the latter stages of Q2, but Stroll could only do two in the end, which ultimately dropped him into the elimination zone.

When asked if the switch to inters was brave, Stroll replied: “No, just stupid in the end. Not the team's fault, it was a group decision.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingLance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

“But I was told I was going to get three push [laps], I only got two push. That's where it went wrong. So, yeah, shame. We threw away a good opportunity today to fight for the top... probably top three, top four.”

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Stroll also thought it was the right decision at the time, but it relied on him being able to execute the plan as intended.

When asked if it felt like a gamble at the time, he said: “No, with three push [it didn't]. With three push I was pretty confident we were going to make something good happen. But with the two push, there was no chance. So, yeah, that's where it went wrong.”

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