Stroll a "completely different driver" compared to F1 debut

Lance Stroll believes he will be a “completely different driver” when he contests his second Formula 1 season with Williams in 2018.

#37 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA ORECA LMP2: Lance Stroll

#37 Jackie Chan DC Racing JOTA ORECA LMP2, P: Lance Stroll, Felix Rosenqvist, Daniel Juncadella, Robin Frijns

#37 Jackie Chan DCR JOTA ORECA LMP2: Lance Stroll, Felix Rosenqvist, Daniel Juncadella, Robin Frijns

The Canadian, who graduated to F1 after winning the Formula 3 European championship, had a tough start with three successive retirements and drew criticism in particular from Jacques Villeneuve.

But Stroll turned things around with his first points in round seven in Canada, followed by third place at the following race in Azerbaijan, and ended the year with 40 points, just three adrift of teammate Felipe Massa.

“I think over the course of the year I’ve changed dramatically as a driver,” said Stroll. “I’ve learned a tremendous amount.

“I’ve gained a lot of experience competing at the highest level in the world with the best drivers in the world.

“You experience all different kinds of emotions, you face adversity and I’ve experienced standing on a podium and starting on the front row.

“It’s taught me so much about being a racing driver, and travelling the world and racing all these different tracks and against the best drivers in the world.

“I really had to learn and adapt more than ever before because there is so much to do in F1, so much to be on top of as a driver.

“It really requires perfection just to walk out of a weekend with a decent result. That’s why it’s called Formula 1.

“But I definitely feel like, compared to where I was in Melbourne 2017, I’m a completely different driver.”

Stroll is one of two current F1 race drivers - Fernando Alonso the other - who is currently in the United States ahead of his maiden tilt at the Daytona 24 Hours.

Sharing one of Jackie Chan DC Racing Jota’s Oreca 07 prototypes with Dani Juncadella, Felix Rosenqvist and Robin Frijns, Stroll qualified sixth.

Williams chief technical officer Paddy Lowe believes the endurance race will act as good preparation for the coming F1 campaign.

“It is great to see Lance is doing Daytona this weekend, and the team will all be watching to support him,” said Lowe.

“Taking the opportunity to race in another series will be good preparation for the Formula 1 season ahead.

“We are also looking forward to getting 2018 officially underway and working with Lance to continue the positive progress he made throughout last season.”