The Miami Grand Prix weekend has given a few drivers who have struggled at times this season the chance to impress.
The main beneficiary during the Sprint Race was Daniel Ricciardo who finally scored his first points of the season in the Sprint Race, finishing 4 ahead of Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri.
Speaking on Sky Sports F1 (4/5 10:50pm), pundits Jenson Button and Danica Patrick wanted to highlight another driver who has the upper hand over his teammate.
At the front of the grid, Max Verstappen is once again showing why he’s the fastest driver in the paddock, with Sergio Perez unable to replicate his heroics in qualifying in Miami last season when he took his most recent pole position.
Charles Leclerc went into the weekend with something to prove after Carlos Sainz’s strong start to the season.
However, back-to-back 2 place starts and a 2 place finish in the Sprint Race highlight why Ferrari have stuck with him over the Spaniard.
Jenson Button and Danica Patrick wanted to reserve special praise for Lance Stroll after qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix.
His Sprint Race ended after the first lap following contact with his teammate and Lewis Hamilton, but he’s out-qualified the two-time world champion for both races.
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Jenson Button and Danica Patrick praise Lance Stroll at the Miami Grand Prix
It’s not been an easy start to the season for Lance Stroll with Fernando Alonso once again showing the gulf in ability between the top drivers.
While the Spaniard has been racing McLaren and Mercedes for points at every race, Stroll has been among the backmarkers on several occasions.
The 25-year-old hasn’t officially been confirmed for the 2025 Formula 1 season, but his rolling contract with Aston Martin means he’s unlikely to be dropped especially considering the relationship his father has with the team.
However, for Aston Martin to take a step forward in the Constructors’ Championship, they need Stroll to start pulling his weight.
He has a pole position and three podium finishes to his name, but all too often he’s considerably off the pace.
Stroll has arrived in Miami with something to prove and Jenson Button and Danica Patrick have been very impressed.
He goes into Sunday’s race on paper as Aston Martin’s best hope of scoring points, although you can never bet against Alonso even if he’s starting 15 and the circuit is notoriously difficult to overtake on.
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Lance Stroll has very positive start to 2024 Miami Grand Prix weekend
Speaking about the 25-year-old, Button said: “Yeah, it’s been a strong weekend for him. It’s not easy out-qualifying Fernando Alonso, but yeah it’s very, very impressive, he’s been on it hasn’t he?”
Patrick added: “He’s coming off that big, big energy in China. He was P1 in one of the practices, so you know, no matter what, that’s always nice to have.”
Button quickly pointed out: “He also made a really big mistake in the race but we’ll forget that bit.”
However, Patrick admitted: “P1 at any point feels so good!”
Button and Patrick’s praise of Stroll at this stage of the weekend is nice but ultimately means nothing.
After missing out on points during the Sprint Race, Stroll will be desperate to leapfrog Yuki Tsunoda and Nico Hulkenberg to secure at least a couple of points.
If he can do that, then he may be able to put some pressure on two Mercedes cars who are still confused about their optimum set-up.
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