Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has delivered a blunt verdict on modern Formula One, saying that driving an F3 car is 1,000 times more fun than the current hybrid-powered machines.
Speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Stroll criticized the sport for becoming 'fake,' with new power units-split roughly 50-50 between electric and combustion power-forcing drivers to coast into high-speed corners to recharge batteries. He described recent safety and racing tweaks as a 'Band Aid solution.'
'I drove some F3 cars over the break, and it is like 1,000 times more fun and better to drive because you have your right foot, you give what you want, and you get what you want,' Stroll said.
He contrasted the current cars with the V8 and V10 era, lamenting the lack of character and noise. 'Now, de-rating into a corner, I'm downshifting going into a corner with no character or no noise. It is fake.'
Stroll acknowledged that a new generation of fans has been attracted by Netflix and Liberty Media, but he insisted that those who 'really know about racing' understand the current cars are not as good as they can be.
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali has defended the changes and urged drivers to be respectful in their criticism. Aston Martin, which is owned by Stroll's father Lawrence, has yet to score a point this season with an uncompetitive Honda power unit.