F1 star confirms END of key relationship

Lance Stroll, Bahrain GP, Aston Martin, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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F1 star confirms END of key relationship

The duo have been working together for three years

Tyler Rowlinson

Friday 22 March 2024 16:57

Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll has confirmed a key figure will leave his post after the Australian Grand Prix.

Ben Mitchell, who has been the Canadian’s race engineer since 2021, will work alongside Stroll for one final time in Melbourne before being promoted.

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From the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, Mitchell will be Aston Martin’s new head of performance optimisation.

Andrew Vizard, the team’s current senior performance engineer, will be taking Mitchell’s place, having previously worked as a race engineer at Williams.

Lance Stroll's race engineer has been promoted

Andrew Vizard will take Ben Mitchell's place from Japan onwards

Stroll to have new race engineer from Japan

Vizard has had experience in the role before, having worked with Stroll during FP1 in Saudi Arabia, and speaking with the media in Australia, the Aston Martin driver believes he will have a smooth transition into his new role.

"I don't think it's so difficult, Andrew's been preparing for a while, been coming to races and spending time at the factory," he said.

"I think it should be pretty smooth. But very nice times with Ben for the last few years, it's been enjoyable."