Stroll: I’ve changed dramatically as a driver

Stroll, who is racing in this weekend's Daytona 24 Hours, said during an interview, “I think over the course of the year I’ve changed dramatically as a driver. I’ve learned a tremendous amount."

“I’ve gained a lot of experience competing at the highest level in the world with the best drivers in the world. You experience all different kinds of emotions, you face adversity and I’ve experienced standing on a podium and starting on the front row."

“It’s taught me so much about being a racing driver, and travelling the world and racing all these different tracks and against the best drivers in the world. I really had to learn and adapt more than ever before because there is so much to do in F1, so much to be on top of as a driver.

“It really requires perfection just to walk out of a weekend with a decent result. That’s why it’s called Formula 1. But I definitely feel like, compared to where I was in Melbourne 2017, I’m a completely different driver.”

With regards to his Daytona foray driving a Jackie Chan DC Racing Jota Oreca, which he shared with Dani Juncadella, Felix Rosenqvist and Robin Frijns, Stroll said, "There's only one winner – it's going to be us! I'm just kidding. We're aiming to win the race, it's obvious, everyone is, but whether we win or not I will go home and carry on doing what I do."

"I want to win, that's a bonus for sure. But just being here is great, being with my friends, sharing the car, that's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Normally one of them is busy doing something, but this time it all worked for all of us, and that makes it so much cooler."

"It's not like I just have my spot and am with a few guys that I don't really know. I get to actually share with guys I was teammates with in Formula 3, and whom I've known for many years now. It makes it that much more exciting and that much more motivating to go out there and win the race."

"We're good buddies, so even outside of racing, we chat and we touch base. Now we're all here racing, and we're very laid back about the whole thing, which is really cool. We're just here to race and give it our best shot," added 19-year-old Stroll.

Meanwhile, his team's technical chief Paddy Lowe has given Stroll's Daytona adventure a thumbs up, "It is great to see Lance is doing Daytona this weekend, and the team will all be watching to support him."

“Taking the opportunity to race in another series will be good preparation for the Formula 1 season ahead. We are also looking forward to getting 2018 officially underway and working with Lance to continue the positive progress he made throughout last season,” concluded Lowe.