Lance Stroll’s return to the GT category, even if only in participation during the forced Formula 1 break, raised questions about his future. The Canadian’s participation at Paul Ricard reignited the debate about the possibility of following in Max Verstappen’s footsteps, combining F1 with endurance racing.
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Stroll returned to competing outside Formula 1 for the first time since 2018, by competing in the opening round of the GT World Challenge Europe, held between April 11 and 12. Stroll shared the #18 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 with Roberto Merhi and Mari Boya, also marking his return to GT racing for the first time since 2016.
The Canadian’s participation quickly generated speculation about his intentions. A poll conducted by RacingNews365 showed fans divided: 45.1% believe Stroll is preparing for a definitive move to GT racing, while 31% believe he may follow Verstappen’s example and compete simultaneously in Formula 1 and endurance races.
Another portion of fans, equivalent to 23.9%, believes that the participation was merely a way to fill the calendar gap after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs, motivated by the war in the Middle East. Thus, the return to GT may have been just a temporary solution to maintain competitive rhythm.
On track, the race at Paul Ricard was not simple for Stroll and his team. The car finished only in 48th position after a gearbox failure. In addition, the trio accumulated more than eight minutes in penalties for track limit infringements and also for a collision during the race.
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Despite the difficulties, the Aston Martin Formula 1 driver managed to demonstrate speed. Even with little night mileage in practice, the Canadian recorded the eighth fastest lap of the race before handing the car over to his teammates.
Verstappen’s example reinforces the viability of this combination. The Dutch driver has competed in GT races in 2026 with Mercedes-AMG equipment and his own team, showing that it is possible to balance commitments between different categories.
It is still unclear whether Stroll sees GT as a long-term project or just an opportunity during the unexpected break. However, with the difficulties currently faced by Aston Martin in Formula 1, the discussion about the Canadian’s future focus may gain even more strength throughout the season.
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