Stroll: Podium was possible in second fastest F1 car at Hungarian GP

Lance Stroll believes a second Formula 1 career podium finish was possible at the Hungarian Grand Prix. 

The Canadian dropped down the order in the early stages of the race - falling behind the fast-starting Verstappen and the Haas pair, who gambled with a pit stop before the start of the race for slick tyres.

Stroll managed to make his way up to third but lost out to Bottas in the second round of stops, with Mercedes performing the undercut.

On reflection, the Racing Point driver believes a podium finish was possible if the team were more wary of Bottas behind.

“Absolutely. I definitely think a podium was possible today,'' Stroll said. “We were staying out a bit longer towards the middle of the race where Valtteri undercut us when he was behind us - he went for the stop and we were expecting some more rain so we were trying to drag out that stint a little bit longer and unfortunately the rain never came.

“He just managed to simply undercut us and by the time we pitted a couple of laps later he was eight seconds up the road and we were comfortably P4 at the stage.''

Despite finishing behind Red Bull's Verstappen in Sunday's race, Stroll believes Racing Point had the second fastest car this weekend.

“It’s been a solid weekend from start to finish and I truly believe we have the second fastest car here this weekend which gives me a lot of positivity moving forward this year.''

Racing Point's strong points haul at the Hungaroring means it now sits level with McLaren on 40 points in the constructors' championship.