Lance Stroll Keeps Canadian Grand Prix Tradition Alive Despite Aston… read more 👇 details in the comments sectionsÂ
The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix proved to be another frustrating weekend for Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, but the Canadian still found a way to boost team morale by continuing a long-standing home-race tradition.
Racing in front of his home crowd at Montreal’s famous Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Stroll hoped to deliver a stronger performance during his eighth Formula 1 appearance at the venue. However, like much of Aston Martin’s season so far, the race ended in disappointment. The 27-year-old crossed the finish line in 15th place, finishing four laps behind race winner Kimi Antonelli after another difficult outing for the Silverstone-based team.
Although the result was far from what Stroll and Aston Martin had hoped for, there was at least one positive takeaway. The Canadian managed to complete the race distance, marking only the second time this season that he has successfully finished a full Grand Prix. Reliability problems have plagued Aston Martin throughout the year, preventing the team from building any momentum.
A major source of the team’s struggles has been its Honda power unit. Aston Martin has repeatedly battled technical issues involving inconsistent power delivery and severe vibrations affecting the car. These problems have contributed to a disappointing start to the campaign and have left the team struggling near the back of the grid.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Stroll remained committed to a tradition that has become a regular part of Aston Martin’s Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Following the race, he invited team members to Lester’s Deli, a well-known Montreal restaurant that holds special memories from his childhood.
The team shared photos from the gathering on social media, highlighting the significance of the event. According to Aston Martin, the visit to Lester’s Deli has become an annual custom whenever Formula 1 arrives in Montreal. The restaurant, famous for its smoked meat sandwiches, has long been one of Stroll’s favourite local spots.
In a message accompanying the images, Aston Martin explained that every year during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Stroll brings the team together at the deli so they can experience one of Montreal’s most iconic food destinations. This year’s event continued that tradition, offering a welcome opportunity for the team to relax and enjoy some time together despite a difficult race weekend.
While it remains unknown whether Stroll personally covered the bill for the entire group, the gesture was still appreciated by team members. Given the significant investment made in Aston Martin by his father, Lawrence Stroll, finances are unlikely to be a major concern for the organisation.
Lawrence Stroll has poured substantial resources into transforming Aston Martin into a championship-contending Formula 1 team. Over the past few years, he has attracted several high-profile figures to the project, including two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, legendary designer Adrian Newey, and respected technical leader Enrico Cardile.
In addition to strengthening the team’s personnel, Aston Martin has also invested heavily in infrastructure. The organisation now operates from a cutting-edge headquarters and technology campus, designed to help it compete with Formula 1’s leading teams in the years ahead.
However, despite those ambitious investments and long-term plans, results on the track have yet to match expectations. The team has endured a disastrous start to the 2026 season and remains rooted to the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship standings.
Even more concerning is the fact that Aston Martin has failed to score a single championship point during the opening five race weekends of the year. Reliability concerns, performance deficiencies, and a lack of competitiveness have all contributed to their struggles.
With much of the season still remaining, Aston Martin will be hoping that upgrades and improved reliability can help turn its fortunes around. Until then, Stroll’s annual gesture of bringing the team together off the track may provide a valuable morale boost as they continue working to overcome one of the toughest periods in the team’s recent history.