Juan Pablo Montoya believes Lance Stroll could leave Aston Martin if the team fails to deliver a significantly more competitive car, potentially leaving the British squad with two vacant Formula 1 seats for 2028. Speaking to F1Maximaal, the former F1 driver discussed the speculation surrounding Aston Martin and the future of Lance Stroll, who is both one of the team’s drivers and the son of owner Lawrence Stroll.
The Canadian’s position has come under greater scrutiny during a very difficult 2026 campaign for Aston Martin. While Lance Stroll remains part of the team’s plans, Juan Pablo Montoya believes continued struggles could eventually persuade him to walk away from Formula 1.
Montoya says Lance Stroll could leave Aston Martin
“If the car doesn’t improve, Stroll will leave,” Juan Pablo Montoya said. “If Aston Martin isn’t more competitive next year, I think the team will find itself with two vacant seats in 2028.”
According to Juan Pablo Montoya, much of Aston Martin’s hope is now centred on Adrian Newey and Honda as the team attempts to produce a car capable of fighting much closer to the front. The relationship between the two sides has already been a major focus of the project, with Adrian Newey discussing improvements in Aston Martin’s partnership with Honda after a difficult beginning.
“Everyone at Aston is counting on Adrian Newey and Honda to provide a car that is genuinely up to the task. Lance Stroll has been racing in Formula 1 for many years: if he doesn’t see concrete progress, how much longer will he want to continue?” Juan Pablo Montoya added.
The Canadian is currently enduring a particularly difficult season, with his position reflected in the 2026 Formula 1 driver standings. Montoya believes that, regardless of Lance Stroll’s close connection to the team, an Aston Martin line-up without him will eventually become a reality.
“Sooner or later there will be an Aston Martin without Lance Stroll: maybe as early as next year, maybe the year after.”
Hungary gave Aston Martin renewed hope
Despite his doubts over Lance Stroll’s longer-term future, Juan Pablo Montoya believes the Hungarian Grand Prix offered Aston Martin an important reason for optimism after a difficult opening part of the season.
“I think the race in Hungary gave them new life,” Juan Pablo Montoya concluded. “It was as if, all of a sudden, they said to themselves: ‘Hey, wait a minute: things are starting to get interesting again.’”
The question now is whether that encouragement can develop into sustained progress. For Lance Stroll, Montoya believes Aston Martin’s ability to produce a genuinely stronger car could ultimately determine how long the Canadian chooses to continue his Formula 1 career.
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