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.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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
“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.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementStroll 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.”
Photos from Las Vegas GP - Practice and Qualifying
Lando Norris, McLaren
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Alexander Albon, Williams
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Guido De Bortoli
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 02
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James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Team
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL39
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Alex Albon, Williams FW47
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB21, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 02
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-25
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Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cassidy Towriss arrive in the Paddock
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Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cassidy Towriss arrive in the Paddock
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Ben Affleck in the Paddock
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Ben Affleck in the Paddock
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing
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Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing
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Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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An Elvis impersonator in the Paddock during final practice
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBlaise Matuidi in the Alpine F1 garage
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Blaise Matuidi in the Alpine F1 garage
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George Russell, Mercedes
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOscar Piastri, McLaren
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Guido De Bortoli
George Russell, Mercedes
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George Russell, Mercedes
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMax Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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George Russell, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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George Russell, Mercedes
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGeorge Russell, Mercedes
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Guido De Bortoli
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Guido De Bortoli
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCarlos Sainz, Williams, Zak Brown, McLaren
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Carlos Sainz, Williams, Zak Brown, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Franco Colapinto, Alpine
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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