Stroll got no guidance 'whatsoever' from Massa

Williams driver Lance Stroll has claimed that he received no guidance 'whatsoever' from the more experienced Felipe Massa during their partnership together in Formula One, insisting that the Brazilian was more focused on performing well on the track rather than being a mentor.

The Canadian is a polarising figure in the sport, with many critics believing that he only has a seat with Williams because of the significant financial backing he receives from his millionaire father.

However, at just 19-years-old he has already claimed a podium place and will once again feature for Williams in the 2018 campaign alongside Sergey Sirotkin.

After Valtteri Bottas jumped ship from Williams to Mercedes last year, the former was forced to find a replacement and eventually brought in Massa, with the feeling that he could provide experience alongside the younger Stroll. However, Stroll has claimed that he did not receive any guidance.

"I don't think I had any guidance from him last year, whatsoever," Stroll told Autosport.

"He was a team-mate like any other. He was busy trying to drive as fast as he could, and I was trying to drive as fast as I could. That was it. There was nothing more to it than that.

"I don't know why people seem to think there was a coach or a mentor thing going on.There wasn't; it was just him doing his job and me doing mine, and whoever did it better finished ahead.

"Whether my team-mate is someone with 15 years' experience or someone of one year's experience, my approach doesn't change."

Sirotkin gained the seat with Williams ahead of the more experienced Robert Kubica, who was instead given a reserve driver role with the team. Stroll believes that the Polish driver can be an asset due his years performing on the track previously.

"Robert can be a big help for sure," Stroll continued.

"Felipe was a good help in that way of helping the team develop with the new regulations, and Robert can definitely help us.

"He seemed to have a good understanding of what the problems were with the car [in Abu Dhabi testing], we got some feedback from the Renault he drove in Hungary.

"So that was good, I can think we can use him and integrate in the team to help us get further up the grid."