While between races most drivers use social media to regale us with news of their adventures; be it attending fashion shows, running up mountains or simply chilling, not so Lance Stroll who continues with his mini-me world championship.

In 2016, in preparation for his race debut this year, his father forked out an estimated £60m in order that the youngster could enjoy a private test programme at a number of race tracks including Monza, Hungary, Austin, Barcelona, Abu Dhabi and Silverstone in a 2014 Williams with a crew that included 5 Mercedes engineers - two of the German manufacturer's engines having been purchased in the process - and twenty other staff members.

Though the size of the crew has decreased, the private tests have continued into this year, the Canadian running a programme that has allowed him to run at a variety of tracks in preparation for the races that followed.

As it seeks a partner for the youngster for 2018, Williams wanted to use Stroll's private test at Suzuka to run Robert Kubica in order that it might further evaluate the Pole following his much publicised outings with Renault.

Having tested at Suzuka for two days prior to the recent Singapore race, Stroll headed back to the Japanese track for a further two days of running in preparation for the forthcoming Grand Prix.

According to Motorsport Magazine however, Williams plans to run Kubica in one of the (2014) cars were thwarted, when the Strolls opted to send both cars on to Austin for pre-United States Grand Prix testing.

With the Stroll family financing the test programme it is entirely within its right to move the cars when and where they wish, but the situation is hardly likely to endear them to Williams - as its search for a 2018 partner for Lance continues - or indeed Kubica.

It's understood that other than Kubica and current incumbent Felipe Massa, the only other driver being considered by the Grove outfit is Paul di Resta who deputised for the Brazilian in Hungary after he was taken ill.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by peterscandlyn, 28/09/2017 3:34 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 28/09/2017 5:52)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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2. Posted by mammamia, 27/09/2017 14:18

"Money is a defining factor everywhere nowadays. With such luck of testing and possibilities to learn for new drivers I'm not at all fazed by the fact that Sroll Snr is poring money on his sons carrier. A the days of free testing rookies could rack up 20000 miles yearly during tests and muster they skill to the unmatched level by today's newcomers.
Regarding Robert I hope he will find what he's looking for. He really deserves another chance to prove himself. I really hope Sir Frank shares my views on that matter"

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3. Posted by @R1Racing71, 27/09/2017 9:20

"To be fair Lance is a fairly decent driver - he didn't ask to be born rich, he deserves another year at the team.

By the way there is no Lady Williams, she sadly past away a few years ago. I presume you mean Miss Clare Williams @yeyox02 and being the only team in the paddock that rely solely on income generated by the F1 team, consequently money will inevitably rule.
Sir Frank is a racer through and through, and thoroughly accepts that they only way he can attract world class drivers is by building championship winning cars. That said, if they can put a decent deal together with the Martini money, perhaps the could attract Alonso.
So it's back to money once again....."

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4. Posted by Yeyox02, 26/09/2017 19:43

"Who rules at Williams team? Money, Stroll, Sir Frank or Mrs Williams."

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5. Posted by Jonathanm, 26/09/2017 17:17

"Personally,I think you are all being too hard on the lad - by and by I think he has done of late a pretty good job. How much are the points he has earned worth to the team? Just my 2 cents."

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6. Posted by jcr, 26/09/2017 13:54

"Bring term PAY DRIVER, to a whole new level !!"

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7. Posted by @R1Racing71, 26/09/2017 13:42

"60 million. And that is just small change to some people.
As much as I love F1 and motorsports in general, it often represents everything that's wrong with the world.
Rant over - it's back to work so I can pay more tax."

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8. Posted by Mad Matt, 26/09/2017 13:12 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 28/09/2017 5:52)

"A bit of a non story really. We don't know if the Stroll family moved the cars ahead of time in order to frustrate Kubica's testing plans or if the Kubica "team" didn't put a request in until it was too late or if logistics made it impossible etc.

On the one hand it's nice to see a father supporting his son... on the other it's a fine line between that and creating another spoilt rich kid."

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9. Posted by Ro, 26/09/2017 11:19

"Just goes to prove that money does'nt buy you talent. £60m just so his son could test! Its grotesque. I would love to see Kubica drive the latest F1 car and without doubt he would do it justice. Williams need a driver that can set the car up and be the driving force, Stroll will never be that."

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10. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 26/09/2017 9:40

"Ha ha ha ha. If this Stroll lad had any confidence in himself, which he obviously hasn't, he wouldn't be so worried about a virtually one-armed rival. Now, wouldn't that be something, after all his terrible injuries, and his single-minded drive to recovery, Kubica beat the pants off a youngster whose main talent seems to have been to have a rich dad."

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Kubica denied Suzuka test

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