F1 2019 driver grid confirmed as Lance Stroll joins Force India
Stroll makes move to the team bought by a consortium backed by his father
Lance Stroll’s move to Racing Point Force India has been confirmed and this means the driver grid for the 2019 Formula 1 season is now complete.
The Canadian drove for Williams in 2018 and finished 18th in the drivers’ standings. His move to Force India was F1’s “worst-kept secret”, says the BBC, after a consortium backed by his billionaire father Lawrence Stroll saved the team from administration in August.
Stroll replaces Esteban Ocon and will partner Mexican driver Sergio Perez at Force India next year. The 20-year-old said: “This is the beginning of an incredibly exciting journey in my Formula 1 career. I look forward to working alongside a successful team with a great culture. It’s a new challenge and I am excited to embrace this new opportunity.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Otmar Szafnauer, team principal and CEO of Racing Point Force India, added: “I’m pleased that we can finally confirm Lance’s arrival to race alongside Sergio next year. It gives us an exciting line-up with the perfect blend of youth, talent, and experience.
“Lance is only 20 and already has two years of Formula 1 experience under his belt, as well as a podium finish and a front row start. We see huge potential in Lance and believe we can create an environment in which he can flourish.
“Our team has enjoyed great success nurturing and developing young and talented drivers, and we are very excited to begin our journey with Lance.”
The opening race of the 2019 F1 season will be the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday 17 March.
2019 F1 driver grid
- Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas
- Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc
- Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly
- Renault: Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg
- Haas: Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen
- McLaren: Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris
- Force India: Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll
- Toro Rosso: Daniil Kvyat and Alexander Albon
- Sauber: Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi
- Williams: George Russell and Robert Kubica
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Duchy Files: how bad is the scandal for King Charles?
Today's Big Question Making millions in rent from the NHS and armed forces a 'PR disaster' for royal family
By The Week UK Published
-
'A stark choice'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Vietnamese migrants crossing the Channel
The Explainer 2024 has seen a surge in the numbers of Vietnamese migrants making the illegal passage into the UK
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Christian Horner and the Red Bull saga that refuses to go away
Why everyone's talking about 'Too dizzy-making' even for the 'merry-go-round world of F1'
By The Week UK Published
-
Max Verstappen: F1’s record-breaking world champion
Why Everyone’s Talking About Red Bull star has surpassed records set by Schumacher, Vettel and Hamilton
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 ‘silly season’ hits top speed as 2023 grid takes shape
Under the Radar Twitter explodes with news of driver moves, denials and rumours
By Mike Starling Published
-
Lewis Hamilton on his F1 future: ‘I have plenty of fuel in the tank’
Under the Radar Seven-time world champion finished second on his 300th grand prix start
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1: a bumpy start to the season for Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
Under the Radar Only four races in and Mercedes already look off the pace
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Bahrain GP reactions: Ferrari ‘back with a bang’ as Leclerc ‘tames the beast’
feature The Tifosi celebrate a stunning one-two for Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
By Mike Starling Published
-
F1 2022 season guide: race calendar, championship standings and 2023 grid
feature Max Verstappen has now won 14 of this season’s 20 grands prix
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published