Lance Stroll To Make GT3 Debut At Paul Ricard During Formula 1’s Unscheduled "April Break"

Aston Martin F1's Lance Stroll will race a Vantage GT3 at Paul Ricard next weekend, filling the F1 "April break" with GT World Challenge Europe action.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 5:58 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

Filling the F1 Void with Endurance Racing

The 2026 Formula 1 season has been hit by a significant scheduling disruption, with the "April Break" emerging after the cancellation of the season's opening Middle Eastern rounds due to regional instability. While some drivers have used the time for extra simulator work or recovery, Lance Stroll has opted for a "pure racing" approach. The Canadian will join a massive 59-car field at the Circuit Paul Ricard, the former home of the French Grand Prix, marking his first competitive outing in GT3 machinery. This move follows a growing trend of F1 stars engaging in GT racing, most notably seen with Max Verstappen’s Team Redline and GT3 ownership ventures.

The #18 Comtoyou Racing Entry

Stroll will compete in the top "Pro" class, sharing the #18 Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3. His teammates bring a mix of veteran experience and youthful speed: Roberto Merhi, a former Marussia F1 driver, and 21-year-old rising star Mari Boya. The entry is one of seven Aston Martins in the field, representing the brand’s strongest-ever showing in the GTWC Europe. Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, noted that the event is the ideal stage to showcase the Vantage’s capabilities against elite international competition.

A Grid of Legends and Rivals

The GTWC Europe Pro class features a high-caliber entry list that Stroll will have to navigate. Among his competitors are motorcycle icon Valentino Rossi, who is now an established GT veteran, and Arthur Leclerc, a Ferrari factory driver and younger brother of Charles Leclerc. Interestingly, Stroll’s #18 Aston Martin will face off against the Mercedes of "Verstappen Racing." While Max Verstappen himself is not scheduled to drive, his team will field a formidable lineup consisting of Chris Lulham, Dani Juncadella, and Jules Gounon.