Stroll eager to race with ‘team player’ at Williams in 2018

Lance Stroll is relaxed about whoever will race alongside him in Formula 1 next year, saying he simply wants a “team player” to help lift Williams up the grid.

With Felipe Massa retiring from F1 following last Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Williams is currently working to find a replacement for 2018 to race alongside Stroll.

Robert Kubica is understood to be the favourite for the seat after completing multiple private tests and further running in Abu Dhabi earlier this week, while other options include Sergey Sirotkin, Paul di Resta, Pascal Wehrlein and Daniil Kvyat.

Asked what he would look for in a potential teammate for 2018, Stroll said: “I just want a team player.

“At the end of the day you drive your car and that is what you focus on with yourself and your side of the garage but of course it is always good to have  a good relationship.

“You never want to have a negative battle or the team splitting up in any way. You always want someone pushing you all the time who is competitive and at the top of their game so you can become a better driver.

“It comes down to what Williams decides to do, and I will live with that.”

Having spent a year at Williams already, Stroll will help his new teammate settle in upon their arrival, but said he would not be losing focus on his own duties in order to do so.

“I think it comes down to him settling into the team,” Stroll said.

“In F1 nobody is here to help you and you have to make your place and that is done by everyone individually.

“I hope to have a good relationship with my teammate but I’ll be doing me and he’ll be doing him.”