We've travelled back across the pond this weekend as Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montréal, Canada plays host to round nine of the 2024 Formula One World Championship. Get the thoughts of Lance and Fernando after Sunday's race.
Fernando and Lance secured a positive double points finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, navigating tricky conditions to cross the line in sixth and seventh place respectively.
Sunday round-up and reaction
Rain fell before the start of the Grand Prix, soaking the track. Fernando and Lance started the race on Intermediate tyres.
Though no further rain fell in the early stages of the race, conditions were treacherous as the pack grappled with low levels of grip.
As the first half of the race progressed, tyre management became increasingly crucial, with our drivers needing to eke out their Inters on a drying track, before a second shower arrived.
A Safety Car period sparked by Logan Sargeant crashing provided the opportunity for both drivers to pit for fresh Inters, just before the rain fell once more.
Towards the end of the race, the rain abated, providing drivers and teams with the conundrum of when to stop for slick tyres.
Our team got the timing to switch right, as Fernando and Lance completed their final stops before keeping things clean to achieve a double points finish.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Race
"I'm super happy with our performance today. It was a tricky race - one of the trickiest I can remember - and the changing conditions kept us on our toes, but we handled it well.
"The first stint was really about managing tyres, especially as the track began to dry, and then we were able to pit for another set of Intermediates under the Safety Car for the second round of rain. We judged the switch to the Hard compound well and kept it on track while others struggled.
"The characteristics of this circuit definitely suited our car, but we did a good job to stay focused and make the most of the opportunities that came our way."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Race
"It was a good race for the team and finishing in sixth and seventh positions in an extremely challenging race weekend is a good result. I think we can be more optimistic heading into Barcelona.
"It ended up being a lonely race for me despite the mixed weather conditions. There wasn't much we could do with the top five cars ahead as they were a little bit too fast today and there were not too many threats behind us.
"It was stressful with the changeable conditions, and you had to avoid making a mistake and also switch the tyres at the right time. Most importantly, we brought both cars home and scored double points for the team."
Mike Krack | Team Principal
"A busy home race in Montréal – we made good strategic calls at the right time and the team carried out solid pit stops including a double stack when we went to dry tyres.
"Lance and Fernando drove faultlessly in difficult conditions and we were rewarded with having both cars finishing in the points in P6 and P7.
"I'm pleased Lance was able to get a solid result in front of the Canadian fans. It has been a better weekend for us as we learn more about recent upgrades and extract more performance from the AMR24. Our focus now shifts to Barcelona and Fernando's home Grand Prix but we need to keep unlocking more pace to challenge our closest competitors."
Next up
We resume the European leg of the season with Fernando's home race: the Spanish Grand Prix.
Saturday
The threat of rain during Qualifying made for a busy track, with the field keen to get in quick times as soon as possible across Q1, Q2, and Q3, though running remained dry in the end.
A rain shower between FP3 and Qualifying washed away rubber laid down on the circuit, meaning track evolution was high over the course of the one-hour session, and therefore being on a flying lap towards the end of each section of Qualifying was crucial.
Our team navigated Qualifying well, with both Lance and Fernando reaching Q3 and sealing top 10 starting spots for Sunday's Grand Prix, setting up the prospect of a good points return.
Rain could be a factor in tomorrow's race, so tyre calls and strategy could be key to securing a positive result.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Qualifying
"Getting through to Q3 is a positive result, but I think more was possible today. I had a bit of contact with the wall during Q1 which I think might have caused some damage as the behaviour of the car wasn't quite right after that.
"Still, we're in a good place to score some strong points in front of my home crowd tomorrow. The Montréal weather could throw anything our way, so we'll do our homework tonight and make sure we're ready to make the most of any opportunities during the race."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Qualifying
"It was a very unpredictable Qualifying session with the constant threat of rain lingering, but I think we have to be happy with both cars in Q3 in these conditions.
"After the last two events I was out in Q1, so starting in sixth position gives us a good chance of scoring points tomorrow. I don't think I did a perfect lap in Q3 and when you see at the end that I was only two tenths from pole position it hurts a little bit.
"In general the car has felt a little better this weekend and tomorrow we will see how we manage the tyres and pace as we haven't had a lot of long runs in the dry. If it rains tomorrow, it could be decided by fine margins and who switches the tyres at the right time, so we have to be prepared for everything."
Mike Krack | Team Principal
"We achieved our target of getting both cars through to Q3 this afternoon in Montréal with the prospect of rain not amounting to much in the end.
"Our pace has been better at our 'home' race but we are not getting carried away. It was a close battle and encouraging to only be a few tenths away from pole position.
"We made good use of the used tyres which got both Lance and Fernando through to Q3 ahead of the Ferraris. They both drove very well with an ever-changing track. The AMR24 is certainly more suited to this circuit and we will work overnight to optimise our prospects for tomorrow's race and give the local crowd something to cheer."
Friday
A large cloudburst before FP1 meant standing water needed to be cleared from the track surface, delaying cars being allowed to leave the pit lane.
A crash for Zhou Guanyu also brought out the red flag in FP1, limiting running further.
Lance and Fernando ventured out towards the end of the first practice session, but both only recorded a handful of laps each.
FP2 again saw variable conditions, with both drivers using slick and Intermediate tyres during the session.
Fernando set the fastest time in FP2, with Lance in third, as they boosted their lap count for the day.
Mixed conditions are expected to persist over weekend.
#18 | Lance Stroll | Free Practice
"It was a stop-start day thanks to the variable weather. In FP2 we got to complete a fair amount of driving both on the Intermediates and slicks on a drying track, and we learned a few things there and about the new tarmac, which is behaving a little differently to previous years.
"We got some good data on set-up and how the Intermediates behave, and that could be crucial for this weekend as there's more rain forecast.
"It's always great to be driving in front of my home crowd and we'll be aiming to give them something to cheer in Qualifying tomorrow."
#14 | Fernando Alonso | Free Practice
"It was a tricky Friday for the entire field due to the weather with not many laps recorded, particularly in FP1. The conditions meant the track was never fully wet or fully dry but it could be like this in Qualifying and the race so today could provide very useful information for the rest of the weekend.
"If the conditions are the same tomorrow, those that are sharp in Qualifying and make the right decision on tyres could gain a big advantage. It's going to be interesting for those watching but for us as a team it'll be about getting the tyre calls right and aiming to make the most of that."
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