Stroll highlights critical issue behind Alonso coup

Lance Stroll has conceded the damage Fernando Alonso sustained during qualifying for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix contributed to him out-qualifying the Spaniard for the first time in the 2023 season.

The Canadian will start from fifth on the grid having been promoted from sixth following Pierre Gasly's six-place penalty, pushing the Alpine driver down the order from P4 to P10.

Alonso, meanwhile, lines up in eighth after running wide on his out-lap early in Q1, resulting in gravel damaging the floor of his Aston Martin and affecting his pace throughout the rest of the session.

Stroll: Podium 'definitely possible'

When asked if starting ahead of Alonso had given him a confidence boost, Stroll told media, including RacingNews365.com: "He had damage."

Despite this, Stroll is hopeful for what he can achieve from fifth on the grid and added: "We're gonna run our race and, if we execute well, a podium's definitely possible.

"We've just got to do our thing and, it's Formula 1, you never know what happens."

Stroll believes that strategy will be an important factor for Sunday's race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, particularly given the recent change to the track's layout.

"[We've] got to think of a good strategy, but it's tough to overtake here also, especially without the last sector of slow corners," he added.

"I think it's gonna be a tricky overtake, but I think tyre deg and strategy is going to be very important, so [we'll] see what we can think of, do something good."