Aston Martin has been urged to remove Lance Stroll from their driver lineup if they aim to be genuine contenders for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher. This comes as the team prepares for the upcoming season with hopes pinned on their newly signed technical expert, Adrian Newey.

The challenge of competing for the 2026 title with the current driver pairing

Aston Martin recently secured Adrian Newey to design their 2026 car exclusively, raising optimism about their prospects for championship success next year. However, the current driver lineup, featuring Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, presents a challenge. Stroll, who is the son of team owner Lawrence Stroll, continues to struggle in qualifying compared to the experienced Alonso throughout the 2025 season.

In an interview with Bild, Ralf Schumacher directly addressed whether Aston Martin needs to part ways with Lance Stroll to become championship contenders. Schumacher stated,

If he [Lawrence Stroll] really wants to become world champion, he has to fire his son,

emphasizing the difficult decision Lawrence must face between family loyalty and competitive ambition.

Schumacher further criticized Stroll’s performance, pointing out the stark difference in qualifying results:

Lance’s 0-27 in qualifying against his teammate Fernando Alonso says it all. The father has to decide: emotion or success. If he’s serious, he has to completely rethink the driver pairing for 2026. I think he knows that, but the decision is difficult for him.

Assessing Lance Stroll’s season performance and team dynamics

Despite Stroll’s significant qualifying deficit, he matches Alonso in championship points after Aston Martin’s strong showing at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Stroll has managed to finish in the points three times during a demanding season for the team, which has struggled to achieve consistent race pace.

Ralf Schumacher has also voiced concerns about Stroll’s attitude. At the British Grand Prix, Stroll publicly criticized the car’s performance, calling it

“the worst piece of s**t I’ve ever driven in my life,”

despite finishing seventh. Schumacher condemned these remarks as disrespectful to the team.

Reflecting on this incident during the Sky Deutschland Backstage Pitlane podcast, Schumacher said,

We are often criticised for being too harsh on him, and maybe we are sometimes,

before condemning Stroll’s comments as

very disappointing, and quite honestly, it’s a question of manners. You have to imagine the external impact.

He highlighted how the mechanics work tirelessly to support the drivers and expressed disappointment that Stroll’s remarks could undermine their efforts:

The mechanics who work there day in, day out so that the two can race – and then the boss’s son comes along and says: ‘Wonderful, and with such a c***** car.’ I have to say, that’s completely unacceptable, that’s an absolute no-go.

Schumacher hopes Stroll will issue an apology, adding,

I would hope that at the next race he goes and apologises. It’s just a shame, unspeakable, and it indicates a poor upbringing. I don’t know what movie he thinks he is in, but such statements diminish his own results. These are important points, after all. One mustn’t forget: These are also important bonuses for the mechanics and the like.

In conclusion on this matter, Schumacher declared:

And when someone then ruins it like that – quite honestly, you have to say: Grade F, dear Lance – and apologise to the team.

What the future may hold for Aston Martin’s driver strategy

The upcoming 2026 season represents a critical juncture for Aston Martin, who have invested heavily in their technical staff and car development to challenge for the championship. With Alonso’s experience and Newey’s expertise, the team hopes to close the gap to frontrunners like Red Bull and Mercedes.

However, Ralf Schumacher’s comments suggest that internal decisions around the driver lineup will be pivotal. The continuing presence of Lance Stroll, given his performance issues and team relations, may hinder Aston Martin’s ambitions. As Lawrence Stroll must weigh emotional ties against competitive goals, the team’s selection of drivers may be one of the most significant factors in their quest for F1 success.