“To finish first, you first have to finish,” said the great Juan Manuel Fangio, and Lance Stroll has now achieved the first part of that famous maxim.
The Williams rookie had not yet succeeded in reaching the checkered flag in his first three races, but Sochi finally brought a much needed finish, albeit one which ended just outside the points.
The young Canadian got off to a rocky start however, spinning on the first lap and dropping down the order, further complicating his day’s task.
“It was so unfortunate,” the 18-year-old said.
“I had a really good start and think I was around P8 at one point, and then I got squeezed on the kerb, there wasn’t much grip and the car just got away from me.
“I knew I didn’t have any damage, but I fell to the back and it was just one of those things that happens.”
- Massa certain late puncture cost him sixth place
Stroll’s recovery after his spin wreaked havoc on his rear tyres before he switched to the super-soft compound on lap 26.
The 18-year-old charged home, leaving Daniil Kvyat’s Toro Rosso in his wake and almost catching Carlos Sainz for P10.
“I had my best moments on the track after I stopped at the pits because I was able to pass Kvyat,” Stroll said.
“I knew we had the rhythm, although I had to lift my foot in order to let Bottas, (Sebastian) Vettel and (Kimi) Raikkonen pass along the way.”
“I saw the checkered flag for the first time, it’s great. It was a bit disappointing with the spin, as I think it could have been quite a bit better, but we will take our first finish.
“The season is long, and I really look forward to going back to Europe to find tracks I know, like Barcelona.”
Gallery: All the action from Sunday in Sochi
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