Stroll Targeting Further GT3 Outings in 2026

Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll says he could tackle further GT3 races this year as he prepares to make his surprise GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS debut at Paul Ricard this weekend.

The Canadian was an unexpected late addition to the entry list for the season opener with Aston squad Comtoyou Racing fielding a fourth Vantage GT3 Evo for Stroll, ex-F1 driver Roberto Merhi and Aston Academy racer Mari Boya.

Stroll was able to take advantage of a gap in the F1 schedule brought about by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races amid the conflict in the Middle East to make his GT3 bow.

He had the chance to sample the Vantage during GTWC Europe’s Prologue at Paul Ricard on Wednesday with the No. 18 machine ending up 26th in the afternoon session.

When asked if this was just a one-off outing or he could make more sports car appearances, Stroll said: “If I feel good physically and mentally, yes — I’d like to do more races during the year.”

He explained that the idea to race at Paul Ricard came about during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend when he was having dinner with Merhi.

“We were talking about what we could do during this break period — about a month — because some races were cancelled,” said Stroll.

“We had the idea to do a GT race together. I’ve known Roberto for a long time. We didn’t race together, but we had the same engineers and connections.

“I’ve been very focused on Formula 1, but this year we don’t have a very competitive car, and we now have some time without races.

“So it was an idea to change things up a bit — a different mindset during the break.

“Jean-Michel [Baert, Comtoyou team owner] was very accommodating, and we organized everything in about a week, so a big thank you to Jean-Michel — that’s why I’m here racing this weekend.”

Stroll is not the only current F1 driver to enjoy some extracurricular GT3 action this year, with four-time champion Max Verstappen making appearances in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie ahead of a N24 entry.

Asked if he had spoken to Verstappen about his own decision to try GT3 competition, Stroll said: “Yes, briefly in Suzuka when I had the idea. We talked about who to contact and, since he’s already involved in GT racing, we discussed it a bit. Everyone enjoys driving GT3 cars — they’re fun.”