Lance Stroll issues two-word response to Aston Martin F1 exit rumour

Lance Stroll has rubbished a rumour by former Aston Martin F1 reserve driver Felipe Drugovich that he was prepared to leave grand prix racing in 2024.

Stroll has been with Aston Martin and its predecessor team Racing Point since 2019, with Drugovich signed after winning the 2021 F2 title as a reserve driver.

He stood in for the Canadian during 2023 pre-season testing when Stroll sustained wrist injuries in a cycling accident, and has deputised in FP1 sessions, but did not receive promotion to a race seat in place of Stroll or Fernando Alonso.

Drugovich is leaving the programme to join Formula E, and recently spoke on a podcast that he was set for the 2024 race seat, with Stroll quitting F1, something the three-time podium finisher has rubbished with just two words.

"I renewed with them for 2024 and 2025, and there were talks of me taking over in 2024, even with the team boss," Drugovich explained on the Na Ponta dos Dedos podcast.

"There came a time when other drivers were, perhaps, not wanting to continue. It was really a time that didn’t work out for me to enter in 2023, but at the end of 2023, it was very clear that maybe it would work out to enter 2024.

"That’s when people seemed to start shaking things up, they were going to have an opportunity, and they put the contract in front of me to renew for 2024 and 2025.

"I said: '‘I’m in the right place, at the right time, let’s go.' It seemed the right time, and I think it went much closer than everyone thought it would.

“It was really very close to Lance himself, maybe not continuing in 2024.

"They put the contract in front of me again for me to renew, because it’s going to happen and everything, and it turned out that it didn’t work out.

"It is what it is, there’s not much for me to cry about right now."

Responding to this when questioned about the comments from the now Andretti Formula E driver, Stroll gave it short shrift. 

The Canadian very simply replied "fake news" when asked about Drugovich's comments, and would not elaborate further.