A downbeat Lance Stroll has labelled his 2018 United States Grand Prix “a terrible day” after early race contact and a drive-through penalty resulted in the Canadian finishing last.
In what has continued to be a woeful season for the Williams Martini Racing squad, Stroll lined up fifteenth on the grid, benefitting from grid penalties awarded to other drivers.
He had initially made a competitive start but in an attempt to overtake Fernando Alonso on the opening lap he made heavy contact with the Spaniard, later receiving a drive-through penalty for the incident.
“It was a terrible day,” said Stroll. “I had contact with Alonso on the first lap in turn five. I saw a gap and went for it, but I don’t think he really saw me and turned in.
“After that my race was finished as I got the drive through and that was that. I haven’t seen the footage, but I think it was a racing incident. I am just disappointed about the result.”
Stroll would ultimately finish sixteenth but would gain a further two positions post-race following the disqualification of both Esteban Ocon and Kevin Magnussen. It means the Canadian, in his second F1 season, remains on just six points in the title race before his expected move to Racing Point Force India in 2019.
