Williams accepts Stroll will "make mistakes"

The 18-year-old Canadian will make his grand prix debut with the team next year, when he will partner Valtteri Bottas.

Stroll will be the youngest driver on the grid, making the jump to Formula 1 straight from Formula 3.

Symonds admits mistakes will be part of the Canadian's learning process.

"Of course he'll make mistakes and we'll be repairing cars," Symonds told Reuters in an interview. "These things happen as part of the process.

"If you look at his Formula 3 career, in 2015 he was having quite a few accidents in that. The Monza one is just staggering," added the Briton, referring to the massive crash Stroll was involved in during the European F3 round at the Italian circuit last year.

Stroll dominated the 2016 European F3 season, taking 14 wins on his way to the title.

Despite his lack of F1 experience, Symonds has no doubt that Stroll is the "real deal."

"He hasn't won that championship with anything other than a lot of skill and maturity," said Symonds.

"For a guy that young he's driven really well in pretty well every condition.

"He's raced well, he's led at the front. He's come through the field a bit, he's driven well in the wet. He is the real deal."