The off-season after losing the championship was transformative in unexpected ways.
Lawrence arranged for me to test with three different European karting teams, a tour through Italy, Spain, and the UK to evaluate options for the eventual international move. At nine years old, I was still young for European competition, but the exposure was valuable.
The first test was at a facility outside Milan with Parolin Racing, one of the most prestigious karting operations in the world. They'd produced multiple world champions and several current Formula 1 drivers had come through their program.
"Lance Stroll, yes?" The team manager, Paolo Marchetti, greeted us in rapid Italian-accented English. "The North American champion. Second place last year, I understand?"
"Yes sir. Daniel Rodríguez beat me."
"Good. You have experienced losing. Winners who never lose become terrible drivers—they panic when behind." He gestured to the immaculate facility. "Here, you will race against the best junior drivers in Europe. Many will beat you. How do you feel about that?"
"Excited. I need strong competition to improve."
Paolo smiled. "Good answer. Come, meet our current drivers."
The Parolin junior team had six drivers aged ten to thirteen, each with impressive resumes. The fastest was a twelve-year-old Italian named Matteo Ricci, already a two-time national champion with junior world championship podiums.
"You're the American?" Matteo said, looking me over skeptically. "Nine years old?"
"Canadian. And yes."
"We'll see how you do against European competition. It's different here—faster, more technical, less forgiving."
[European Driver Met: Matteo Ricci]
[Age 12, Italian, world-class talent]
[Dismissive of North American racing]
[This will be a measuring stick]
The test session was humbling. The kart was similar to what I'd raced, but the track was different—narrower, more technical, less room for error. The other drivers knew it intimately.
My first few laps were exploratory, learning the circuit. By lap five, I was pushing harder. By lap ten, I'd found a rhythm.
[Lap Time: 1:04.8]
[Matteo Ricci: 1:04.2]
[Gap: 0.6 seconds]
[Respectable but not competitive]
I came in, discussed setup with the engineers using my Setup Intuition. Made specific changes to front end geometry, rear wing angle, tire pressures. Went back out.
[Lap Time: 1:04.4]
[Improvement: 0.4 seconds]
[Still 0.2 seconds behind Matteo]
Paolo watched the timing screens with interest. "You improved significantly with one setup change. Most drivers take days to find that much time."
"The kart was understeering. The changes gave me better front-end bite."
"Yes, but how did you know exactly what changes to request? You're nine years old with no experience on this chassis."
"Feel. Instinct. I pay attention to what the kart tells me."
The afternoon session focused on race pace. I qualified sixth out of six drivers for the practice race—last place. Not ideal, but everyone else had months of experience on this equipment and track.
The race was educational. European drivers were aggressive in ways North American racing wasn't. They defended harder, attacked with less margin, expected you to give way or crash. It was racing chess played at high speed with minimal tolerance for error.
Matteo won easily. I finished fourth, passing two drivers but unable to catch the top three.
[Practice Race: P4 of 6]
[Lesson: European racing is more intense]
[You're competitive but not dominant]
"Not bad," Paolo said afterward. "Fourth place, first time on the track, against drivers who live here. You have potential."
"I want to win, not have potential."
"Of course. But potential is the starting point. We have an offer for you, when you're ready—junior team position for next season or the one after. Train with us, race with us, develop with European competition."
Lawrence and I discussed it that evening at the hotel.
"They're offering a real opportunity," Lawrence said. "But it means living in Italy for extended periods. Intensive training, European championship racing, total immersion."
"I'm not ready yet. Not at nine." I thought about Marcus, about Chloe, about Chef Beaumont's kitchen. "One more year in North America. Prepare properly. Then come to Europe ready to compete, not just learn."
"Mature decision. We'll do the other tests, gather information, then make plans for age ten or eleven."
[Decision: Stay North American for one more year]
[Age 10 target: Begin European racing]
[Current age: 9]
[Time to prepare: 12 months]
The Spanish test with RFM Racing was similar—fast drivers, intense competition, different racing culture. I was competitive but not dominant, consistently finishing top half but rarely threatening for victory.
The UK test with Strawberry Racing was where I found real speed. The British track suited my smooth style, and the racing culture was closer to North American racing. I qualified second and finished second in the practice race, only losing to a thirteen-year-old British champion named Oliver Hayes.
"You're quick," Oliver said after the race. "For a North American driver, anyway."
"Is European arrogance a requirement or just encouraged?" I asked.
He laughed. "Bit of both. But seriously, you've got pace. Saw you at the Italian test—heard you were six-tenths off Matteo's time initially?"
"Yeah. Different track, different kart."
"Matteo's special. Future F1 driver probably. Being close to him at nine years old is impressive." Oliver studied me. "You planning to race here?"
"Next year probably. Want to be properly ready first."
"Smart. Come prepared or get destroyed. European racing doesn't forgive weakness."
[European Driver Met: Oliver Hayes]
[Age 13, British, national champion]
[Respectful but competitive]
[Future rival in international competition]
Back in North America, I returned to Apex Racing for my age-ten season. Daniel and Amy were both back, both determined to maintain their championship positions.
But Apex had signed another driver who would change the dynamic: a ten-year-old from Brazil named Lucas Almeida.
Lucas came from a racing family—his uncle had raced in Formula 3, his cousin currently competed in Formula 2. He'd dominated South American karting and was making the move north to test himself against international-level competition.
"Lance Stroll," Lucas said with a broad smile and thick accent. "The driver who lost to Daniel. I'm here to beat both of you."
His confidence wasn't empty. First test session, Lucas was fastest—matching my times despite never having driven this track before. His natural talent was obvious, raw speed combined with fearless aggression.
[New Rival: Lucas Almeida]
[Age 10, Brazilian, South American champion]
[Natural speed, aggressive style, extremely confident]
[Four-way battle: Lance, Daniel, Amy, Lucas]
"This season just got harder," Marc observed, watching Lucas set purple sectors consistently.
"Good. I need to be pushed."
"You have 795 points. Considered buying another skill?"
I'd been thinking about it. The championship-level skills were expensive but potentially transformative.
[CHAMPION TIER SKILLS AVAILABLE:]
[Mental Fortress (450pts): Unbreakable focus, immune to pressure]
[Physical Peak (500pts): Optimal physical condition maintained]
[Racecraft Genius (600pts): See racing as art, execute perfectly]
[Decision: Which gives the best advantage against elite competition?]
"Physical Peak," I decided. "I'm still growing, still physically developing. Maintaining optimal condition automatically would remove a major variable."
[PURCHASE CONFIRMED: PHYSICAL PEAK (500 POINTS)]
[POINTS REMAINING: 295]
[INTEGRATING BIOLOGICAL OPTIMIZATION SYSTEMS...]
The integration was different—less mental, more physical. My body's recovery improved immediately. Sleep became more efficient. Energy levels stabilized. Muscle development optimized. It was like having a professional trainer, nutritionist, and physical therapist working 24/7 to keep me at peak performance.
[INTEGRATION COMPLETE]
[Your body will now maintain optimal condition automatically]
[Recovery time reduced by 60%]
[Injury resistance significantly increased]
[Physical performance consistent regardless of circumstances]
The season opener showed the new competitive landscape immediately. Qualifying order: Lucas, Daniel, me, Amy. Separated by two-tenths across all four.
The race was warfare. Lucas led aggressively, defending with South American intensity. Daniel pressured him hard. I battled with Amy for third while looking for opportunities to move forward.
Lap twelve, Lucas and Daniel made contact fighting for the lead. Both continued but both dropped time. Amy and I capitalized, suddenly running first and second with five laps remaining.
"This is your chance," Marc radioed. "Amy's tires are fading."
He was right. My Tire Management showed her fronts were done, while mine had two laps of competitive life left. I closed the gap, made my move into the chicane with three laps remaining.
Clean pass. Led the final three laps. Victory.
[Season Opener: VICTORY]
[But barely. Lucas and Daniel's incident gave you the opportunity.]
[Points Earned: 60]
[Current Balance: 355]
Daniel finished third after recovering from the incident. Lucas was furious with himself for the mistake, finished fourth. Amy held second despite fading tires.
"Lucky win," Lucas said in the paddock, not quite accusatory but not congratulatory either.
"I'll take luck when it comes. Made fewer mistakes than you and Daniel."
"Next race, no mistakes from me. Then we see who's faster."
[Lucas: Motivated by the loss]
[This season will be intense]
Race two proved Lucas's point. He qualified on pole, drove a perfect race, won by three seconds. I finished second, unable to challenge his pace. Daniel third, Amy fourth.
Race three: Amy's victory in wet conditions where her aggression paid off. Lucas second, me third after a setup gamble didn't work. Daniel fourth.
Race four: Daniel's calculated win using superior strategy. Lucas pushed too hard and made mistakes. I finished second. Amy third.
[After 4 Races:]
[Lucas: 135 points]
[Lance: 130 points]
[Daniel: 125 points]
[Amy: 115 points]
[Four drivers within 20 points]
[Closest championship battle in series history]
The season became a masterclass in competitive racing. Different drivers won based on conditions, setup, strategy, and execution. No one dominated.
Lucas was fastest in pure speed but made mistakes under pressure. Daniel was most consistent but lacked ultimate pace. Amy was brilliant in unpredictable conditions but struggled in straightforward races. I was well-rounded but not exceptional in any single area.
[Mid-Season Assessment:]
[Your Strengths: Consistency, tire management, adaptability, strategic thinking]
[Your Weaknesses: Raw qualifying pace vs Lucas, wet-weather aggression vs Amy]
[Equipment: Equal across all four drivers]
[Outcome: Depends on execution, strategy, and minimizing mistakes]
Race eight was pivotal. Rain forecast, my supposed advantage with Wet Weather Expert. But Amy had studied my wet-weather techniques obsessively, and Lucas had natural wet-weather talent from racing in Brazilian rain.
I qualified second behind Amy. Lucas third, Daniel fourth.
The race was chess in the rain. Amy led early with aggressive tire use. Lucas charged hard, taking risks. Daniel played it safe. I balanced between approaches, using Adaptability Master to shift styles based on what the race required.
Lap fifteen, Amy's aggressive approach cost her—spun at the hairpin trying to maintain pace on worn tires. Lucas inherited the lead, but his tires were also fading from his charge.
I was on fresh-feeling rubber, having managed them perfectly. Closed on Lucas with five laps remaining. Caught him with three laps remaining. Passed him cleanly with two laps to go.
Victory. Crucial championship points.
[RACE 8: VICTORY]
[Championship Points: Critical]
[Gap to Lucas: Now leading by 10 points]
But Lucas won races nine and ten. Daniel took race eleven. The championship went to the final race weekend double-header with all four drivers mathematically capable of winning.
[Championship Standings - Before Finale:]
[Lucas Almeida: 485 points]
[Lance Stroll: 480 points]
[Daniel Rodríguez: 475 points]
[Amy Chen: 465 points]
[Five points separate first through third]
[Twenty points between first and fourth]
The pressure was immense. Not just racing pressure but championship pressure. One mistake could cost everything.
"You've been here before," Dr. Renaud reminded me during a phone session before the finale. "Last year's close championship. You've learned from that experience."
"Last year I lost."
"And what did losing teach you?"
"That second place isn't failure. That competition makes you better. That the journey matters."
"Remember those lessons this weekend. Win or lose, you're racing at elite level against elite competition. That's success regardless of points."
[Mental State: Prepared]
[Physical State: Optimal (Physical Peak maintaining condition)]
[Skills Ready: All systems operational]
[Competition: The strongest you've ever faced]
The finale was at a neutral track none of us had raced before, making it pure driving ability rather than track knowledge. The weekend would test everything—qualifying, racecraft, strategy, consistency, and pressure management.
Saturday's race: I qualified third, raced to second behind Lucas's brilliant drive. Daniel third, Amy fourth. The championship tightened further.
Sunday's race would decide everything. The points were close enough that the championship winner had to be on the podium minimum, and likely needed to win.
I qualified on pole for the final race. Lucas second. Daniel third. Amy fourth.
One race. Everything on the line.
"Just drive your race," Marc said before the start. "You've prepared perfectly. Trust your skills. Trust yourself."
The start was the most pressure-packed moment of my racing life. Four drivers launching for turn one, championship hanging on the outcome.
I got a perfect start using Race Start Mastery. Lucas matched me. We went into turn one side-by-side...
To be continued...
Author's Note: Chapter 16 shows Lance testing with European teams (meeting Matteo Ricci and Oliver Hayes), returning to North America for age-10 season with even tougher competition. Lucas Almeida from Brazil joins as a fourth elite driver. Lance purchases Physical Peak (500pts) for biological optimization. The season is the closest yet—four drivers within 20 points battling all season. Currently has 355 points after mid-season. The finale is set up as a genuine four-way championship battle with everything on the line in the final race.