Formula 1: 5 possible replacements for Lance Stroll in 2026

As a seasoned Formula 1 analyst with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the future of these young drivers is nothing short of intriguing.

Following a robust beginning to the 2023 Formula 1 season, Aston Martin demonstrated to the competition that they had significantly advanced their performance. Unfortunately, they couldn’t sustain this high standard, and they’ve since returned to their typical level for the 2024 season.

However, the latest addition of Adrian Newey has sparked excitement among fans, suggesting that Aston Martin might emerge as a leading team once Formula 1 introduces its new set of rules in 2026.

As a passionate fan, I find myself pondering over a challenging situation facing team owner Lawrence Stroll. Our squad is on the verge of championship glory, but we’re still missing that crucial final piece. Regrettably, Lance Stroll isn’t quite delivering at the level needed to secure the title. Swapping him out might just provide us with the competitive edge necessary to rank among the top teams in Silverstone.

Here are five possible replacements for the younger Stroll in 2026.

1. Max Verstappen

It’s unlikely that the idea of Max Verstappen joining Aston Martin will simply fade away. Given Lawrence Stroll’s efforts in bringing on board Adrian Newey, there’s a chance that Verstappen might be drawn back to collaborate with this renowned designer once more.

Mike Krack, head of the Aston Martin team, publicly declared that the opportunity for Max Verstappen to join their team exists, should he be interested. Moreover, Verstappen himself hinted that he might ponder this possibility in the future.

2026 could be an excellent opportunity for Stroll to challenge Verstappen, as Alonso’s contract ends that year. If Alonso decides to continue in Formula 1 after 2026, it’s another matter, but if he retires, 2026 might just be Aston Martin’s golden chance to claim a world championship title.

In Formula 1, it could be said that the duo of Alonso and Verstappen is highly debated as one of the top pairs, matching up against Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari, as well as Lando Norris and potentially Oscar Piastri at McLaren.

With Lawrence Stroll’s determination to make Aston Martin the top team in Formula 1, it’s likely that he would be willing to take similar steps as before to acquire the services of the talented 26-year-old three-time world champion, just as he did with Newey.

2. George Russell

Recently, it’s been speculated that George Russell could potentially secure a spot at Aston Martin for the year 2026. While he might not currently be their top pick, there’s a chance that Russell may find himself without a ride at Mercedes once his contract ends in 2025.

Toto Wolff’s dream of signing Max Verstappen will not be going away anytime soon, and the Mercedes team boss could look to pair him with Kimi Antonelli.

Next season, Russell could solidify his position as the team’s primary driver by demonstrating his skills. However, to achieve this, he must focus on delivering cleaner and more controlled performances. He should also work on tire management, strive for greater consistency, and avoid reckless moves with race strategies like the one-stop strategy at Spa that ended up costing him a win due to his car being found underweight.

Among other possibilities,

One advantage for the team is that he wouldn’t receive a colossal salary like Max Verstappen, allowing Aston Martin to redirect those finances towards other areas for continued enhancement instead.

3. Yuki Tsunoda

As a die-hard Formula 1 fan, I can’t help but marvel at the phenomenal progress Yuki Tsunoda has made in his fourth season. From his humble debut, he’s come a long way! If Sergio Perez were to step down from Red Bull after the 2024 season, Tsunoda dreams of teaming up with Max Verstappen the following year. Yet, it seems that his potential is not fully recognized or supported, which may keep him with the sister team for now.

Since 2016, Honda has been a significant backer of Yuki Tsunoda, and there’s speculation they might transfer him to Aston Martin in 2026 upon their departure from Red Bull and linking with Lawrence Stroll’s team. As for Tsunoda, he’s starting to feel underappreciated at RB, and when his contract ends next year, he may seek a more prominent role elsewhere.

Aston Martin might be a suitable choice given that Tsunoda consistently demonstrates his ability to drive a fast car and score points. Honda, being his long-term supporter, could undoubtedly advocate for him when negotiating with the team before he makes a transition.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m tossing around the idea that maybe I could be part of Aston Martin’s crew in 2026, with Honda still behind the scenes. But here’s the catch: it all depends on an open spot becoming available in 2026. While he didn’t explicitly say so, it seems like he might be hinting at Lance Stroll’s seat rather than Fernando Alonso’s.

4. Franco Colapinto

In the last two races at Monza and Baku, Franco Colapinto, who recently stepped in for Logan Sargeant at Williams, has left a lasting impression on Formula 1. His impressive showings have sparked interest as a possible Sauber driver for next season, alongside Gabriel Bortoleto and Valtteri Bottas, who are also strong contenders.

Although James Vowles, team principal at Williams, has expressed his intent to help Colapinto race next season, it seems Sauber is currently his only viable option, but the chances are slim. Instead, a more strategic approach could be to retain Colapinto as a reserve driver for Williams next year and possibly lend him to Aston Martin in 2026.

Currently, Aston Martin is considered a level above Williams. Giving Colapinto additional practice sessions during free practice and time on the simulator would aid his growth. Yet, it’s worth noting that his limited track record might raise questions for Lawrence Stroll and team leader Mike Krack. Colapinto’s aspirations are pinned on delivering outstanding performances across the last seven races of the 2024 season.

It’s likely that Williams won’t want to part ways with Colapinto, and a vacancy might arise for him on the team in 2027, contingent on Carlos Sainz Jr.’s plans once his current contract ends. However, this topic could be revisited as the 2024 season nears its conclusion.

5. Jak Crawford

It’s possible that Aston Martin might elevate one of their young drivers, Jak Crawford, to their main team in 2026. At only 19 years old, Crawford could become the next American racer on the track following Logan Sargeant’s recent departure from Williams, who opted for Franco Colapinto instead.

This season, Crawford has been consistently excelling and showing top-tier performance in the Formula 2 series. With one victory and four additional podium finishes under his belt, he currently stands fifth in the rankings. He’s hot on the heels of Zane Maloney and Paul Aron, aiming to secure a third place finish in the remaining three race weekends.

Although there might be some risks for Aston Martin if they consider promoting Crawford to Formula 1 in 2026, it could still prove to be a gamble that’s worth making.

Following the successful F1 debuts of Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto this year, and with Kimi Antonelli’s highly anticipated debut scheduled for Melbourne next season, this promising trend might motivate Mike Krack and Lawrence Stroll to give an opportunity to one of their promising young drivers.

Crawford has had experience driving an Aston Martin car, having clocked over 400 kilometers during a test run at the Red Bull Ring this past summer. If the data supports him, he could become a strong contender when considering drivers to team up with Fernando Alonso in 2026.

2024-09-19 13:32

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