Formula 1: Lance Stroll still not confirmed at Force India for 2019

Despite the move being heavily rumored, Lance Stroll has still not been confirmed as Force India’s second driver for the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Lance Stroll, who has driven for Williams Martini Racing since his Formula 1 career began last season, has been rumored to make the move to Racing Point Force India for next season since July when the team were still known as Sahara Force India).

The father of the 20-year-old Canadian, investor Lawrence Stroll, whose wallet is the primary reason why Lance was able to land his ride with Williams in both of the past two seasons, led a consortium and purchased Force India in August, changing their name from Sahara Force India to Racing Point Force India in the process.

At this point in time, it seemed like a sure thing that Lance Stroll would end up driving for his father’s team next season, especially considering the fact that Williams were by far the worst team on the grid this year and Stroll did not have much success driving for them.

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In 21 races this past season, Stroll recorded only two top 10 finishes, and his best finish was his eighth place finish in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He finished in 18th out of 20 drivers in the driver standings with just six points to his name.

In the 2017 season, Stroll recorded seven top 10 finishes in 20 races, including a career-high third place finish in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, en route to a 12th place finish in the driver standings with a total of 40 points to his name.

While it still seems like a sure thing that Stroll will be the driver who will replace Esteban Ocon at Force India next season as a teammate to Sergio Perez, whose financial backers are the ones who protected Force India from the threat of a winding-up offer, allowing the Lawrence Stroll-led consortium to make their purchase of the team, this news has still not been confirmed even with the 2018 season being completely in the books.

The second seat at Force India is now the lone remaining open seat on the grid for next season following Scuderia Toro Rosso’s confirmation of Alexander Albon as their second driver for next year. However, realistically, it does not seem to be open given the circumstances. After all, Stroll tested for the team at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates earlier this week.

https://twitter.com/F1/status/1067358539432296449

The only question that really remains at this point is what is taking Force India so long to confirm that Stroll will be their second driver for next season?

When will Force India confirm that Lance Stroll will be their second driver for the 2019 Formula 1 season? How will he perform in his first season driving for the team in what is set to be his third season in the sport?