Source: Official Team Post via X
Formula 1 May Override Fan Vote for Lance Stroll at Mexico City GP
F1 fans have humorously rallied to vote Lance Stroll as 'driver of the day' at the Mexico City Grand Prix, despite his challenging season. However, F1 has systems in place to prevent skewed voting results.
In the whimsical realm of Formula 1 fandom, a new campaign has emerged. Fans have taken to social media with a plan to vote for Aston Martin's Lance Stroll as the 'driver of the day' at the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix. For Stroll, who has only received this accolade once before back at the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, this light-hearted support comes during a tough season. Sitting 21st in the championship, Stroll has yet to score a point this year, with his best finish being a 12th place in Malaysia. His season has been marked by retirements in two-thirds of the races.
This isn't the first time fans have orchestrated a tongue-in-cheek campaign for a struggling driver. Back in 2021, Haas driver Nikita Mazepin saw a surge in votes at the Monaco Grand Prix despite being lapped. The following year, Nicholas Latifi, Stroll's fellow Canadian, became the focus of a similar campaign at the Canadian Grand Prix, finishing second-last.
However, Formula 1 is prepared for such antics. As reported by Bild, F1 has implemented 'automatic safeguards' against unusual voting patterns. If the outcome appears skewed, manual adjustments can be made. Thus, unless Stroll manages a standout performance, a top 10 finish or close, the likelihood of him being named 'driver of the day' remains slim.
While the campaign may be in jest, it touches on a sensitive point for Stroll, who has been a frequent target for online criticism. His presence on the grid is often questioned, with detractors pointing to his father's ownership of Aston Martin as the primary reason for his seat. Yet, Stroll has had his moments, having scored 325 points in his F1 career, including a pole position and several podiums.
As the season progresses, Max Verstappen leads the field in 'driver of the day' awards with seven wins, while Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc are tied for second with three each. With Fernando Alonso recently renewing his contract with Aston Martin, the team confirmed that Stroll will remain with them through 2027.
While fans eagerly await the race in Mexico City, hoping for excitement on and off the track, Formula 1's vigilance ensures that the 'driver of the day' award maintains its integrity.