F1 | Schumacher calls for a driver to leave Formula 1: “It’s no longer acceptable”

Ralf Schumacher believes that there is a driver at Aston Martin who should step away from Formula 1. The former F1 driver and Sky Germany analyst has stated that it is time for Lance Stroll to leave both the grid and Aston Martin, adding that the Canadian “should no longer be in Formula 1.” Schumacher also pointed to promising young drivers, such as 2025 Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, who deserve a place in the series.

Stroll joined Aston Martin when it was still called Racing Point back in 2019, after his father, Lawrence Stroll, led a consortium of investors to acquire the team. Over the years, the Canadian driver has faced a great deal of scrutiny and criticism, though he has rarely let it affect him.

Recently, Stroll has been consistently outperformed by his current teammate, Fernando Alonso, who joined the team in 2023, replacing Sebastian Vettel. In their first year together, Alonso finished fourth in the drivers’ standings with 206 points, while Stroll ended tenth with 74 points. In 2024, Alonso finished ninth with 70 points, compared to Stroll’s 13th with 24 points. And in 2025, the two Aston Martin drivers concluded the season with a tenth and sixteenth place finish respectively. For Schumacher, this performance gap is “no longer acceptable.”

Schumacher’s comments

“Logically, this is no longer acceptable,” Ralf Schumacher said on Sky Sports Germany’s podcast, speaking about Stroll at Aston Martin. “Honestly, when I see how well the Formula 2 champion [Fornaroli] has performed, I realize he deserves a thousand times more to be driving a car like that.”

The team has undergone many changes in recent years. Sebastian Vettel retired at the end of 2022, prompting Silverstone-based Aston Martin to bring in Alonso to partner Stroll. In 2025, former Red Bull technical director Adrian Newey joined Aston Martin as managing technical partner and will take on the role of team principal in 2026.

Additionally, from next year, Honda will supply the power units under the new regulations. With the arrival of the 2026 season, Schumacher is curious to “see what will happen.”

“But I am also curious to see what happens there because, to be honest, even Lawrence Stroll […] cannot turn a blind eye to this matter. In my opinion, he is also a candidate who should no longer be in Formula 1. Absolutely,” concluded the former F1 driver.

Strong words from a man who raced 180 grands prix himself – and a clear message that, despite the huge investment and upcoming revolution at Silverstone, one seat may still be decided more by family ties than pure speed.