Krack hails Stroll after Mexico performance

Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack has praised Lance Stroll following his drive at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Stroll started the race from the pit lane when the squad made a number of changes to his car after qualifying, a session in which Stroll suffered another Q1 exit.

The Canadian driver's weekend was compromised slightly after he was stuck in the garage during the second free practice session with a wheel nut issue.

“That was very frustrating, you really believe in Murphy's Law,” Krack told media including RacingNews365.com when it was highlighted that Stroll's car has suffered from a number of problems recently.

“Why it hits always that car at one point... it was a stupid, stupid thing on the wheel nut that cost him this much time.”

Boost from USA

Stroll entered the race weekend after scoring points at the previous event in the United States, having also started that Grand Prix from the pit lane.

The points result came amid a slump in performance for both Stroll and Aston Martin and it marked the 25-year-old's first top 10 finish since the return after the summer break.

Stroll was forced to retire from the race late on after he was spun around following contact from Bottas.

But putting the result to one side, Krack believes that Stroll has shown an uptick in form.

“I think he had quite a good boost from Austin for his confidence,” said Krack.

“He was really on it all the time. Plus, it was his birthday. So maybe they gave him a bit of extra motivation.

“But I think you could see that it is hard work - he lost the DRS to [Valtteri] Bottas, then he came back step by step again to try and get closer.

“Ge was never giving up. This, I think is quite impressive. He was really trying to do the best of the situation.

“There was still a point to get in the whole whole pack with Nico [Hulkenberg], the Alpines, Bottas. We tried to get it. And he was only for getting it.”