Lance Stroll ended his championship winning FIA European Formula 3 Championship campaign in the best possible manner as he clinched victory in all three races at the Hockenheimring last weekend.
Having already clinched the title at the last round at Imola, the Prema Powerteam driver did not take his foot off the accelerator pedal and clinched his first hat trick, which meant the Canadian took the final five victories of the season and fourteen in total, meaning Stroll ended the season 187 points of his main rival in the championship.
“It’s been an amazing season and to score another three wins to sign off from the F3 category is awesome,” admitted Stroll.
“It’s taken all year but I finally got the triple win over the weekend. I’ve definitely had a good time this weekend and that was my goal.”
Although he was triumphant in all three races, Stroll did not have it all his own way, with two pole positions out of three and an on-track clash with team-mate Maximilian Günther in race one that had the potential to have ended both their races, although it did mean he led a Prema Powerteam 1-2-3-4!
Stroll also had to pass Joel Eriksson for the lead of race three having started down in fourth position on the grid, but thereafter, as in the previous races, he was in a race of his own.
“Qualifying was solid overall,” said Stroll. “I gave it everything in the first session – and was on it again for my fastest lap in the combined qualifying for Races 2 & 3 later on Friday.
“But I unfortunately didn’t have the opportunity to lay down a second lap time due to traffic. I found a clear lap in the dying minutes but the tyres weren’t at their peak anymore.
“Race One was fun – especially the opening lap! I made a good start but going into Turn 2 I locked up the front right wheel massively. Maxi left some room on the inside at Turn 7 and I went for the gap. He defended and closed me to the inside and we had slight contact but it all went well for me from that point.
“Race 2’s victory was pretty straightforward and comfortable apart from the sun setting making visibility difficult at times but it was a nice lights to flag victory.
“On Sunday, I made an awesome start from P4 and saw an opportunity to get into the lead and went for it. My pace was good, built a gap then maintained it to the checker.”