Lance Strulovitch, better known as Lance Stroll, is a Canadian-Belgian Formula One driver born on October 29, 1998, in Montreal, Quebec. Competing for Aston Martin, Stroll has established himself as a talented racer with a knack for performing in challenging conditions, particularly wet weather. His journey into motorsport began at the tender age of 10, starting with karting before progressing through junior formulae to the pinnacle of motorsport.
As the son of a billionaire businessman, Stroll’s career has often been scrutinized, with some labeling him a “pay driver” due to his father’s investments in his racing teams. However, his achievements on the track, including podium finishes and a pole position, demonstrate his skill and determination to carve his own path in Formula One.
Lance Stroll parents
Lance is the son of Lawrence Stroll and Claire-Anne Callens, two influential figures whose backgrounds in fashion and business have shaped their family’s affluent lifestyle. Lawrence Stroll, born on July 11, 1959, in Montreal, is a Canadian billionaire businessman with a net worth estimated at $3.8 billion as of November 2024, according to Forbes. He made his fortune in the fashion industry, bringing brands like Pierre Cardin and Ralph Lauren to Canada and later investing in Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors alongside Hong Kong investor Silas Chou. Lawrence’s passion for motorsport led him to acquire the Force India Formula One team in 2018, rebranding it as Racing Point and later Aston Martin, where he serves as executive chairman and part-owner. He is also a renowned collector of vintage Ferraris, owning rare models like the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO. Lawrence was previously married to Claire-Anne Callens but has since remarried to Brazilian model Raquel Diniz in 2020. The couple has two children, Lance and his older sister, Chloe Stroll, who is a singer-songwriter married to Olympic snowboarder Scotty James.
Claire-Anne Callens, a Belgian-born fashion designer and businesswoman, is Lance’s mother and holds dual Canadian-Belgian citizenship. She owns Callens, a luxury activewear brand known for its sports-inspired fashion. Despite her prominence in the fashion world, Claire-Anne maintains a low profile, with limited public information about her personal life. Her joint net worth with Lawrence during their marriage was reportedly $2.7 billion, though her individual wealth remains undisclosed. Claire-Anne and Lawrence divorced when Lance was young, but she has remained a supportive figure in her children’s lives. Her Belgian heritage contributes to Lance’s dual citizenship, and her fashion background complements the family’s connection to the industry.
Career
Stroll’s motorsport journey began in karting, where he quickly amassed accolades in Canada and North America. At age 10, he won the Federation de Sport Automobile du Quebec Rookie of the Year award in 2008, followed by the Driver of the Year title in 2009. In 2010, he joined the Ferrari Driver Academy, a significant step that marked his potential as a future star. Stroll transitioned to car racing in 2014, debuting in the Florida Winter Series organized by Ferrari, where he competed against future Formula One drivers like Max Verstappen and Nicholas Latifi, securing two podiums and a pole position. That same year, he dominated the Italian F4 Championship with Prema Powerteam, clinching the title with seven race wins despite missing the final round due to injury.
In 2015, Stroll won the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, recording four wins and 10 podiums in 16 races. He also competed in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Prema, finishing fifth overall with one win and six podiums, racing against talents like Charles Leclerc and George Russell. In 2016, Stroll dominated the Formula 3 European Championship, securing 13 victories and the title by a commanding 187 points. This success paved the way for his Formula One debut with Williams in 2017, where he partnered with Felipe Massa at just 18 years old, becoming the first Canadian F1 driver since Jacques Villeneuve. His rookie season included a podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, making him the second-youngest driver to achieve a podium in F1 history.
In 2019, Stroll joined Racing Point, the team owned by his father, which transitioned to Aston Martin in 2021. His standout performance came in 2020, when he secured his first pole position at the Turkish Grand Prix and finished third at the Sakhir Grand Prix, adding to his career tally of three podiums. Despite criticism for being outperformed by teammates like Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso, Stroll has shown resilience, finishing a career-best 10th in the World Drivers’ Championship in 2023. As of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, he remains contracted with Aston Martin until at least 2026, continuing to compete alongside two-time champion Fernando Alonso. Outside of F1, Stroll has raced in the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2016 and 2018, showcasing his versatility.
Accolades
Stroll’s career is marked by several notable achievements across various racing series. In karting, he earned the Federation de Sport Automobile du Quebec Rookie of the Year award in 2008 and Driver of the Year in 2009. His transition to car racing brought further success, with the 2014 Italian F4 Championship title, where he secured seven race wins, 13 podiums, and five pole positions. In 2015, he clinched the Toyota Racing Series championship in New Zealand with four wins and 10 podiums. His dominance in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship, where he won 13 races and the title by a significant margin, solidified his reputation as a prodigy.
In Formula One, Stroll’s accolades include one pole position at the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, becoming the first Canadian to achieve this since Villeneuve in 1997. He has three podium finishes: third place at the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, third at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, and another third in 2020. His 10th-place finish in the 2023 World Drivers’ Championship marked his highest ranking in F1 to date. Additionally, Stroll holds the record as the second-youngest driver to score a podium in F1 and the youngest rookie to do so, achievements that highlight his potential despite ongoing debates about his privileged background. His contributions to Aston Martin, including consistent points finishes, have helped the team maintain a competitive presence in the midfield.