{"id":1881773,"date":"2026-04-13T10:42:30","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T07:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1881773"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:42:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T07:42:30","slug":"lance-strolls-brutal-gt-racing-debut-marred-by-eight-minutes-of-penalties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1881773","title":{"rendered":"Lance Stroll\u2019s brutal GT racing debut marred by eight minutes of penalties"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Lance Stroll\u2019s brutal GT racing debut marred by eight minutes of penalties<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Lance Stroll endured a disastrous GT World Challenge Europe debut at Paul Ricard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Lewis Larkam <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-13T11:42:30+01:00\">13 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Aston Martin and Stroll are having a torrid F1 season<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Lance Stroll suffered a brutal welcome to the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>With no F1 racing throughout April following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix double-header due to the Iran war, Stroll made the most of a free weekend to contest his debut outing in the series.<\/p>\n<p>In a move that mirrored four-time world champion Max Verstappen\u2019s recent extracurricular activities, Stroll made his debut in the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at the Paul Ricard 6 Hours.<\/p>\n<p>However, it proved to be a weekend to forget on his return to sports car racing for Stroll, whose No.18 entry was classified 48th in the order following a late retirement from a race plagued by issues.<\/p>\n<p>While Stroll has past experience driving the former French Grand Prix venue in F1 machinery, this was a totally different beast for the Canadian, who only contested the final part of the race which took part in the dark.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Technical issues had prevented Stroll from getting much experience driving the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO at night before the race started.<\/p>\n<p>Stroll and team-mates Mari Boya and ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi started 15th but had dropped to 38th in the order by the time Stroll got behind the wheel. Stroll posted the eighth-fastest lap of the race but was forced to retire the car when gearbox issues struck.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9258e78d9eb5366c20da100991a48d74c13c4a9f21fc70fb96a01186bcb44af9\">  Why Lance Stroll thinks winning is possible on his GT racing debut   The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>As well as technical issues, the No.18 Comtoyou Racing outfit entry received over eight minutes\u2019 worth of penalties.<\/p>\n<p>Boya picked up a stop-and-go penalty for causing a collision, while the No.18 car was also handed four minutes\u2019 worth of penalties for ignoring blue flags. An additional three minutes and 40 seconds of penalties were for exceeding track limits.<\/p>\n<p>Stroll racked up one minute of penalties for failing to respect blue flags and also copped 115 seconds\u2019 worth of penalties for repeated track limits offences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-be84102a6f2c22c3fab6ba43769cf583ba726efb22f8ce3fbddfa04f511954c5\">  Honda only responsible for half of Aston Martin&#8217;s F1 pace deficit   Fernando Alonso concedes Aston Martin &#8220;a few months&#8221; from F1 recovery <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Stroll has previously contested the 2016 and 2018 editions of the 24 Hours of Daytona.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The sister No.7 Comtoyou Racing entry claimed victory with Mattia Drudi, Marco Sorensen and Nicki Thiim behind the wheel.<\/p>\n<p>The Team Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Daniel Juncadella, Chris Lulham and Jules Gounon finished ninth overall.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen will team up with Juncadella, Gounon and Lucas Auer when he makes his debut at the Nurburgring 24 Hours on 14-17 May.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Lance Stroll<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Aston Martin<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Five of the best Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase F1 radio exchanges<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/si202411240350.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> F1 responds to government Indian GP \u201c100%\u201d return claim<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_629261_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-94022c597a6846ea396798f67eb4ed20dece69b79a529abc1b27c351c11e5fe7\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/1bc46a82-ac76-40ea-9cf5-d309b802b0ef_1.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Lewis Larkam<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for Crash.net around the world. Often reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-a25a275ad7d57666af468c4762ab2b533e50ebbc1fdaded1d249ed2adb7a3473\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Lance Stroll joins ex-F1 driver for surprise GT racing debut at Paul Ricard<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775123032\"> 02\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1397766_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Aston Martin drivers are not enjoying the AMR26\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aston Martin: No need for peace talks with Honda amid F1 2026 misery<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1775041852\"> 01\/04\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/2268568957.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Aston Martin and Honda have endured a torrid start to F1 2026\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Stroll&#8217;s surprising claim about \u201cAston Martin championship\u201d battle<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774954223\"> 31\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/2268868517.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Stroll and Alonso battled over last place at Suzuka \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aston Martin&#8217;s major 2026 Japan F1 milestone &#8216;not a cause for celebration&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774859074\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403811_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, 2026 Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fernando Alonso \u2018super happy\u2019 as he shares heartwarming personal news<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774606649\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/2266570748.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Alonso has become a father for the first time at 44\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Aston Martin\u2019s unconvincing response to growing Wheatley rumours<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774599199\"> 27\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1394920_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Wheatley left Audi after a year with the German squad\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Lance Stroll endured a disastrous GT World Challenge Europe debut at Paul Ricard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Lance Stroll suffered a brutal welcome to the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>With no F1 racing throughout April following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix double-header due to the Iran war, Stroll made the most of a free weekend to contest his debut outing in the series.<\/p>\n<p>In a move that mirrored four-time world champion Max Verstappen\u2019s recent extracurricular activities, Stroll made his debut in the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at the Paul Ricard 6 Hours.<\/p>\n<p>However, it proved to be a weekend to forget on his return to sports car racing for Stroll, whose No.18 entry was classified 48th in the order following a late retirement from a race plagued by issues.<\/p>\n<p>While Stroll has past experience driving the former French Grand Prix venue in F1 machinery, this was a totally different beast for the Canadian, who only contested the final part of the race which took part in the dark.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Technical issues had prevented Stroll from getting much experience driving the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO at night before the race started.<\/p>\n<p>Stroll and team-mates Mari Boya and ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi started 15th but had dropped to 38th in the order by the time Stroll got behind the wheel. Stroll posted the eighth-fastest lap of the race but was forced to retire the car when gearbox issues struck.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9258e78d9eb5366c20da100991a48d74c13c4a9f21fc70fb96a01186bcb44af9\">  Why Lance Stroll thinks winning is possible on his GT racing debut   The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>As well as technical issues, the No.18 Comtoyou Racing outfit entry received over eight minutes\u2019 worth of penalties.<\/p>\n<p>Boya picked up a stop-and-go penalty for causing a collision, while the No.18 car was also handed four minutes\u2019 worth of penalties for ignoring blue flags. An additional three minutes and 40 seconds of penalties were for exceeding track limits.<\/p>\n<p>Stroll racked up one minute of penalties for failing to respect blue flags and also copped 115 seconds\u2019 worth of penalties for repeated track limits offences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-be84102a6f2c22c3fab6ba43769cf583ba726efb22f8ce3fbddfa04f511954c5\">  Honda only responsible for half of Aston Martin&#8217;s F1 pace deficit   Fernando Alonso concedes Aston Martin &#8220;a few months&#8221; from F1 recovery <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Stroll has previously contested the 2016 and 2018 editions of the 24 Hours of Daytona.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The sister No.7 Comtoyou Racing entry claimed victory with Mattia Drudi, Marco Sorensen and Nicki Thiim behind the wheel.<\/p>\n<p>The Team Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Daniel Juncadella, Chris Lulham and Jules Gounon finished ninth overall.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen will team up with Juncadella, Gounon and Lucas Auer when he makes his debut at the Nurburgring 24 Hours on 14-17 May.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Lance Stroll suffered a brutal welcome to the GT World Challenge Europe at Paul Ricard over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>With no F1 racing throughout April following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix double-header due to the Iran war, Stroll made the most of a free weekend to contest his debut outing in the series.<\/p>\n<p>In a move that mirrored four-time world champion Max Verstappen\u2019s recent extracurricular activities, Stroll made his debut in the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup at the Paul Ricard 6 Hours.<\/p>\n<p>However, it proved to be a weekend to forget on his return to sports car racing for Stroll, whose No.18 entry was classified 48th in the order following a late retirement from a race plagued by issues.<\/p>\n<p>While Stroll has past experience driving the former French Grand Prix venue in F1 machinery, this was a totally different beast for the Canadian, who only contested the final part of the race which took part in the dark.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Technical issues had prevented Stroll from getting much experience driving the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 EVO at night before the race started.<\/p>\n<p>Stroll and team-mates Mari Boya and ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi started 15th but had dropped to 38th in the order by the time Stroll got behind the wheel. Stroll posted the eighth-fastest lap of the race but was forced to retire the car when gearbox issues struck.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-9258e78d9eb5366c20da100991a48d74c13c4a9f21fc70fb96a01186bcb44af9\">  Why Lance Stroll thinks winning is possible on his GT racing debut   The biggest winners and losers from F1\u2019s surprise five-week break <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>As well as technical issues, the No.18 Comtoyou Racing outfit entry received over eight minutes\u2019 worth of penalties.<\/p>\n<p>Boya picked up a stop-and-go penalty for causing a collision, while the No.18 car was also handed four minutes\u2019 worth of penalties for ignoring blue flags. An additional three minutes and 40 seconds of penalties were for exceeding track limits.<\/p>\n<p>Stroll racked up one minute of penalties for failing to respect blue flags and also copped 115 seconds\u2019 worth of penalties for repeated track limits offences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-be84102a6f2c22c3fab6ba43769cf583ba726efb22f8ce3fbddfa04f511954c5\">  Honda only responsible for half of Aston Martin&#8217;s F1 pace deficit   Fernando Alonso concedes Aston Martin &#8220;a few months&#8221; from F1 recovery <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Stroll has previously contested the 2016 and 2018 editions of the 24 Hours of Daytona.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The sister No.7 Comtoyou Racing entry claimed victory with Mattia Drudi, Marco Sorensen and Nicki Thiim behind the wheel.<\/p>\n<p>The Team Verstappen Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Daniel Juncadella, Chris Lulham and Jules Gounon finished ninth overall.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen will team up with Juncadella, Gounon and Lucas Auer when he makes his debut at the Nurburgring 24 Hours on 14-17 May.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092974\/1\/lance-strolls-brutal-gt-racing-debut-marred-eight-minutes-penalties&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1401753_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Lance Stroll\u2019s brutal GT racing debut marred by eight minutes of penalties Lance Stroll endured a disastrous GT World Challenge Europe debut at Paul Ricard. Lewis Larkam 13 Apr 2026 Share Aston Martin and Stroll are having a torrid F1 season Add as a preferred source Lance Stroll suffered a brutal welcome [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1881773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1881773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1881773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1881773\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1881773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1881773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1881773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}