Fernando Alonso Mentors Lance Stroll for a Battle Against Lewis Hamilton

Sabyasachi Biswas | 30/04/2023
Fernando Alonso Mentors Lance Stroll for a Battle Against Lewis Hamilton

Fernando Alonso left a mighty “brake balance” advice for his teammate Lance Stroll during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix race. The Asturian provided much-needed info for the Canadian to help him in the battle against Lewis Hamilton.

As heard on the radio, Alonso asked his race engineer to provide Stroll with a setting he used in the race. The Spanish driver said, “Tell Lance my brake balance suggestion, as I am now.” He also added, “I think it’s a good help.”

This has come right after the 24-year-old was under immense pressure from Hamilton behind. The Mercedes star breathed down his neck while the Canadian struggled with his brakes.

The 41-year-old, who leapfrogged compatriot Carlos Sainz to P4, thought the setting on his challenger would be a big help for his teammate. But ultimately, Stroll couldn’t keep his place as he ran wide, giving Hamilton the perfect opportunity to overtake.

Stroll couldn’t keep his place despite suggestions

The Canadian driver failed to make use of the advice his veteran teammate had for him. Before he can utilize it, he lost his place to the seven-time world champion.

The Lap 20 of the Baku race saw the Aston Martin star run wide. This opened up the opportunity for the Briton to close the gap on Stroll. As the 2.2 kilometers stretch arrived, Hamilton made sure he took the opportunity to overtake the Aston Martin.

The Aston Martins have been facing issues with the DRS this weekend. Furthermore, with Stroll in the cockpit, it looks off the pace against another Mercedes of George Russell lurking in the background.

How did the race sum up for Alonso and Stroll in the end?

The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix can be regarded as a damage limitation week for Aston Martin. The British team has struggled with their DRS in the qualification, but in the end, they are expected to be happy with their points haul.

Alonso, despite starting the race in P6, went up two places to finish in P4. He tried his best to catch Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to keep his podium momentum going, but the Monegasque escaped with a second to spare.

As for Stroll, he too finished the race with a two-place improvement. The Canadian started the race in P9, and crossed the finish line in P7, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.
Post Edited By: Sabyasachi Biswas
Fernando Alonso George Russell Lance Stroll Lewis Hamilton

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Sabyasachi Biswas

Sabyasachi Biswas is an F1 journalist at The SportsRush. With over one and a half decades of love for the sport and five years of experience in the field, he dreams to be a regular at the paddock when the lights go out. A Red Bull fan and F1 fan in general over the years, he enjoyed watching Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel, and Max Verstappen dominate the track. Apart from F1, he's also a big-time Madridista and Federer fanatic. He was a sub-junior level footballer, won inter-district quizzes and debate competitions back in school. A travel freak throughout, he tries different cuisines and learns new cultures whenever he's away from the keyboard.

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