Lance Stroll is a Canadian Formula 1 driver who has been a fixture on the grid since his debut in 2017. Born into immense wealth as the son of fashion mogul and team owner Lawrence Stroll, he has competed for Williams, Racing Point, and now Aston Martin. Despite three podium finishes and a memorable pole position in wet conditions, Stroll has never won a race. As of the 2025 season, he continues to drive for his father’s team, where performance has been underwhelming.
The Stroll name is synonymous with both privilege and debate. Critics label him a “pay driver” whose career is bankrolled by his billionaire father. Supporters point to flashes of genuine talent, particularly in rain-affected races. Understanding his record requires separating fact from the noise that surrounds one of F1’s most polarising figures.
Who is Lance Stroll and what is his background?
Lance Stroll was born on 29 October 1998 in Montreal, Canada. His father, Lawrence Stroll, made a fortune in fashion before entering motorsport. Lance began karting at age four and quickly progressed through junior categories, becoming the 2015 Formula 3 European Champion. He joined the Williams F1 team in 2016 as a junior driver and made his race debut in 2017.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lance Stroll |
| Team (2025) | Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team |
| Career Points | 325 (as of 2025 season start) |
| Podiums | 3 |
- Lance Stroll is the son of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who leads the Aston Martin F1 team ownership.
- He became the second-youngest driver to score a podium in his debut F1 season (2017).
- Stroll’s career has been marked by wet-weather prowess (e.g., 2020 Turkish GP podium).
- He is in a public relationship with Israeli model Yael Shelbia since 2022.
- Stroll drives the Aston Martin AMR24 (2025) carrying car number 18.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | October 29, 1998, Montreal, Canada |
| Age (2025) | 26 |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| First Race | 2017 Australian Grand Prix |
| First Win | None (as of 2025) |
| Best Championship Finish | 6th (2020) |
| Car Number | 18 |
| Father | Lawrence Stroll (billionaire, team owner) |
| Current Team (2025) | Aston Martin Aramco F1 |
| Total Grands Prix Entered | 198 |
How many F1 wins and podiums does Lance Stroll have?
Across his career from 2017 through the 2025 season, Lance Stroll has zero race wins. His best results are three third-place finishes: the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, and the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix. His highest grid position was pole at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix.
Career wins and podium tally
According to Formula1.com and other official records, Stroll has entered 198 Grands Prix as of mid-2025. He has never stood on the top step of the podium. All three of his podiums are third places. His best season standing came in 2020, when he finished 6th in the drivers’ championship while driving for Racing Point.
Stroll’s 2020 pole position and podium in Turkey came in rainy conditions. The sport’s official profile describes him as a “teenage sensation with a wet weather predilection,” highlighting one of his recognised strengths.
Criticism and the pay driver label
Throughout his career, Stroll has faced persistent criticism that his seat is funded by his father’s wealth rather than pure merit. The sportsrush.com analysis of his career notes that he is “often criticized for being a pay driver backed by his father’s wealth,” though he has shown moments of brilliance, such as his pole position in Turkey.
What car does Lance Stroll drive for Aston Martin?
Since 2021, after the Racing Point team was rebranded, Stroll has driven for Aston Martin. In 2025, his car is the Aston Martin AMR24, powered by a Mercedes engine. He races under car number 18, a number he has used since his F1 debut.
Why car number 18?
Drivers choose their permanent race numbers early in their F1 career. Stroll selected 18 and has kept it through team changes. The number appears on his helmet and car livery for every Grand Prix.
Team performance in 2025
As of July 2025, Aston Martin is struggling in the constructors’ standings. Lance Stroll has scored zero points across the first eight races, with no wins or podiums. His teammate Fernando Alonso, a two-time world champion, has fared better but the team has not won a race this season. The team’s stated goal is to rebuild infrastructure and attract top engineers, but race wins have not yet materialised.
Because Lawrence Stroll owns the Aston Martin F1 team, any move to another squad would be unusual. Rumours about Lance leaving his father’s organisation remain speculative and are not supported by evidence.
Who is Lance Stroll dating? (Relationship with Yael Shelbia)
Lance Stroll has been publicly linked to Israeli actress and model Yael Shelbia since 2022. The couple has appeared together at events and on social media. However, a persistent rumour that Stroll “crashed into” Shelbia is entirely unfounded.
Separating fact from misinformation
No verified record exists of any accident involving Stroll and Shelbia. The story appears to be a fabrication or confusion with unrelated viral content. Yael Shelbia has no connection to Formula 1; her career centres on acting and modelling. Multiple sources, including motorsport.com, confirm the crash claim is false.
Stroll and Shelbia are believed to have started dating in 2022. They have been seen together at races and on holiday, but neither has publicly discussed the details of their relationship.
What is the latest news about Lance Stroll?
The 2025 season has been difficult for Stroll. With zero points after eight races, he trails his teammate Alonso significantly. The team’s performance is a major talking point in the paddock, and speculation about Stroll’s long-term future continues despite his family ties.
Recent crash incident
During the 2025 season, Stroll has been involved in several on-track incidents common among midfield drivers. No single crash has defined his year, though the false story involving Yael Shelbia continues to circulate online. The origins of that rumour remain unclear.
When did Lance Stroll achieve key career milestones?
- 1998 – Born in Montreal, Canada.
- 2002 – Began karting at age 4.
- 2015 – Formula 3 European Champion.
- 2016 – Joins Williams F1 team as junior driver.
- 2017 – F1 debut; podium at Azerbaijan Grand Prix (P3).
- 2018 – Moves to Racing Point (later Aston Martin).
- 2020 – Podium and pole at Turkish Grand Prix; best championship finish (6th).
- 2023 – Announces relationship with Yael Shelbia.
- 2024 – Continues with Aston Martin alongside Fernando Alonso.
- 2025 – Zero points after eight races.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Lance Stroll’s career?
Established information
- Lance Stroll is the son of Lawrence Stroll.
- He has 3 podiums, 0 wins in F1 as of 2025.
- He drives for Aston Martin under car number 18.
- He was born on October 29, 1998 in Montreal.
Information that remains unclear
- His exact net worth is not publicly confirmed (estimates vary widely due to family wealth).
- Causes of specific crashes are sometimes disputed (driver error vs mechanical failure).
- Future team changes after his father’s ownership remain speculative.
How does Lance Stroll’s career compare to other drivers?
The debate around Stroll often places him alongside other so-called “pay drivers.” Unlike many, however, he has remained in F1 for nearly a decade, largely due to his father’s ownership of the team. His performances relative to teammates are instructive: he was outscored by Sergio Pérez at Racing Point, held his own against Sebastian Vettel, and has been clearly outperformed by Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin. His strengths include wet-weather driving and race consistency; his weaknesses lie in qualifying pace and occasional crashes.
For a broader perspective on F1 careers, you may also read about Liam Lawson – Age, Height, Net Worth and F1 Career and Ralf Schumacher – Biography, F1 Career, Net Worth and Personal Life.
What do official sources say about Lance Stroll?
“A teenage sensation with a wet weather predilection.”
— Formula1.com driver profile
“There’s always something special about coming home to Montreal.”
— Lance Stroll Instagram post
“Lance Stroll is one of Formula One’s most mercurial talents.”
What is the overall takeaway about Lance Stroll?
Lance Stroll’s career is defined by his father’s financial backing and a modest record of three podiums with zero wins. He remains a fixture at Aston Martin, though the team’s 2025 struggles have intensified scrutiny. Rumours about his personal life, including a false claim about a crash with Yael Shelbia, have no basis in evidence. His future in F1 appears secure as long as his father owns the team.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lance Stroll
What is Lance Stroll’s net worth?
Exact figures are not public; estimates range from $50M to $200M, heavily influenced by his father Lawrence Stroll’s billion-dollar fortune.
How many pole positions does Lance Stroll have?
Lance Stroll has 0 pole positions as of the 2025 season.
Did Lance Stroll win a race?
No, Lance Stroll has not won an F1 race. His best results are three third-place podiums.
What is Lance Stroll’s car number?
He races with number 18.
Is Lance Stroll still with Aston Martin?
Yes, as of 2025 he is under contract with Aston Martin F1 team.
Oliver Arthur Morgan Harrison is a staff writer for StoryShift.uk, covering UK news, culture, politics and technology. He works under Editor-in-Chief Maarika Tamm and UK Managing Editor Oliver Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.