Lance Stroll explains reason behind 'f*** this s***' Aston Martin radio message

Lance Stroll has explained that the frustrated radio outburst he sent during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia was rooted in tyre management, not a mechanical complaint.

The Aston Martin driver finished 12th at the Sepang International Circuit, more than 18 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen, after a weekend in which the team's approach to tyre conservation appeared to backfire.

During the grand prix, Stroll responded to a radio message by saying "f*** this s***", before overtaking Haas' Esteban Ocon moments later.

Stroll said the team had been managing its tyres on the assumption it would be a demanding stint, only to discover the Pirellis were holding up far better than expected, costing him track position before deciding to attack again.

Addressing the radio message, Stroll told select media, including RacingNews365: "That was more [about] tyres. We were trying to manage the tyres, and then the more we were managing the tyres, we were just losing temperature and falling out of the window. 

"And it was actually not a management race. It was a flat out race. So, and then when we started pushing, started overtaking some cars, and you know, I think that probably cost us some points in the last race, just over management and not pushing the tyres. 

"I think it was that the tyres were a lot more robust than than we thought it would be."

Stroll warns Aston Martin current form only a 'temporary relief'

Attention has now turned to the Singapore Grand Prix and the Marina Bay Street Circuit, a layout dominated by low-speed corners and short acceleration zones that typically masks the power deficit Aston Martin has struggled with all season. 

Stroll believes it offers a brief window where the car's strengths can shine through, before the calendar swings back to circuits that expose Honda's straight-line shortfall.

Asked about Aston Martin's recent upturn in form, the Canadian was cautious about reading too much into it.

"It's a temporary relief," said Stroll on Aston Martin's recent form. "I think this last week, this week will probably be better again, but then we're going to go to the long straights and probably again lose two seconds of engine and stuff like that in the Mexicos and the Austins and all those places. 

"So, yeah, try and capitalise on these weekends where we know it's more about the car and less about the engine, and then in the background we just have to keep pushing hard for a lot more power and all the stuff we know we need to work on."