Page 90 - Sharp September 2024

THE HOME
STRETCH
FORMULA 1’S LANCE STROLL IS HIS OWN BOSS
By David Stol
IN THE WORLD OF FORMULA 1, LIFE TENDS TO MOVE AT
breakneck speeds. Of course, on the track, that goes without saying. The elite few who earn a spot on the circuit are well-attuned to competing at up to 375 km/hr. But off the track, the pace isn’t much different. As the sport continues to grow — fuelled by the popularity of Netflix’s Drive to Survive docuseries — drivers like Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll are racing more than ever before. A decade ago, drivers were tasked with 19 high-stakes Grand Prix competitions a year. Today, the number has grown staggeringly to 24. Uninterrupted global travel
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has become a non-negotiable element of the job. Yet for Stroll, a lone weekend in mid-June allows for an annual homecoming.
“The sport is booming. It’s growing faster than I think anyone could have predicted 10 years ago. It’s amazing to be a part of. At the same time, as an athlete, there’s so much outside noise. You’re balancing constant travel. It’s all-consuming,” explains Stroll. At the time of our interview, the 25-year-old is two nights away from the Canadian Grand Prix, which takes place at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a mere 20 minutes from where Stroll grew up. “Being back in Montreal is such a reset for me. Being surrounded by friends and family, it’s why I look forward to this race more than any other on the calendar. It’s home.”
Minutes before, Stroll stood on stage at Le 9e in downtown Montreal, addressing hundreds of Canadians on hand for his homecoming party, hosted by BOSS, directly following a public meet-and-greet in the city’s Eaton Centre. The room was raucous in anticipation of Stroll’s return to the city’s storied track. After all, the Canadian has historically performed well at home. But despite the fanfare, Stroll’s focus didn’t waver.
“Thank you all for coming. Enjoy your tequila, have a great night, and I hope to see you all on Sunday,” he says. “Someday, I’ll be retired and staying up late to party with you. But I plan on delaying