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Stroll admits he got "lucky" with Australian GP start

Lance Stroll admits there was a lot of luck involved in the spectacular start he made in the Australian Grand Prix from the back row of the grid.

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-17, leads Marcus Ericsson, Sauber C36, Antonio Giovinazzi, Sauber C36, Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren MCL32, Lance Stroll, Williams FW40, and Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17, at the start

Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-17, leads Marcus Ericsson, Sauber C36, Antonio Giovinazzi, Sauber C36, Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren MCL32, Lance Stroll, Williams FW40, and Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17, at the start

Motorsport Images

Lance Stroll, Williams
Lance Stroll, Williams FW40
Lance Stroll, Williams
Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team VF-17, leads Marcus Ericsson, Sauber C36, Antonio Giovinazzi, Sauber C36, Lance Stroll, Williams FW40, and Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren MCL32, at the start
Lance Stroll, Williams FW40
Lance Stroll, Williams FW40
Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17, leads Esteban Ocon, Force India VJM10, Lance Stroll, Williams FW40, and Jolyon Palmer, Renault Sport F1 Team RS17

The Canadian rookie was forced to start from the back of the grid after he was given a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change.

Stroll's charging start received a lot of attention on social media last week after the on-board view from his Williams was posted online by the F1 website.

"It just happened," Stroll said in China. "One of the Saubers braked very, very early, and I had to avoid that, so I went to the inside. I think Ericsson or Giovinazzi, I don't remember who it was, went to the outside. I got lucky a little bit and overtook three cars.

"Then Magnussen and Ericsson crashed in the next corner, so another two places, so five or six positions, because Ricciardo didn't start. So I was immediately up to P14, then I overtook another car so P13. There was a bot of luck involved, but that's what's needed in racing."

Asked about a possible repeat in China, he said: "Hopefully we won't be starting last this week, and we can put the car in the position we know we are able to.

"But you never know, racing is racing, things can happen. So we'll see, and I'll do the best job I can to get the most out of myself, and the most out of the car."

Stroll's first weekend in Australia ended with retirement due to brake issues, but he has tried to see the positives.

"It was not the finish we wanted, but obviously we knew coming in it wasn't going to be easy, new track, first Grand Prix, new regulations, tough cars to drive.

"It was obviously going to be a tough weekend. There were a lot of positives to take from it, and I wouldn't say negatives, that's the wrong word, but things to work on, as I expected, being a rookie.

"I think we were having a very positive race up until we had the brake failure, running 13th, gaining a lot of positions at the start, and even having to stop one more time at the beginning due to the flat spot at the start.

"We were still in it, still looking at a possible P11, 12, maybe even points, and I felt very comfortable in the race, and the pace was looking good.

"And just unfortunately that retirement at the end, which wasn't what we wanted. Like I said there were some positives. I have to clear my mind, one weekend under my belt which was good, and things to work on."

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