![\"Lance](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/XPB_1383421_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLance Stroll has shut down rumours he was set to step away from the sport in 2023. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLance Stroll has shut down rumours he was set to step away from the sport in 2023. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
Stroll has raced with Aston Martin and its predecessor Racing Point since 2019, during which time he worked alongside Drugovich, who joined as the team\u2019s reserve after winning the 2021 F2 title.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian told the Na Ponta dos Dedos podcast this week that Stroll had been considering stepping away from the sport two seasons ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI renewed with them for 2024 and 2025, and there were talks of me taking over in 2024, even with the team boss,\u201d Drugovich explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere came a time when other drivers were, perhaps, not wanting to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really a time that didn\u2019t work out for me to enter in 2023, but at the end of 2023, it was very clear that maybe it would work out to enter 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s when people seemed to start shaking things up, they were going to have an opportunity, and they put the contract in front of me to renew for 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n
\u201cI said, \u2018I\u2019m in the right place, at the right time, let\u2019s go.\u2019 It seemed the right time, and I think it went much closer than everyone thought it would.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really very close to Lance himself, maybe not continuing in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey put the contract in front of me again for me to renew, because it\u2019s going to happen and everything, and it turned out that it didn\u2019t work out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is what it is, there\u2019s not much for me to cry about right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about Drugovich\u2019s claims during Thursday\u2019s FIA press conference in Sao Paulo, Stroll replied simply: \u201cFake news.\u201d He declined to elaborate further.<\/p>\n
Rumours about Stroll\u2019s potential departure have circulated previously, including suggestions from a Brazilian commentator during the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort that the Canadian had asked to quit Aston Martin.<\/p>\n
At the time, Stroll brushed off the speculation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no plans on doing that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot sure where that came from. I guess he needed something to say! I had no plans on it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Canadian remains on a rolling contract with Aston Martin covering the 2024 and 2025 seasons and is expected to continue in F1 for 2026.<\/p>\n