As he steps into the daring world of Grand Prix racing, Williams rookie Lance Stroll faces a fair amount of tests and challenges.
An unfamiliar working environment and powerful and physically demanding new cars are just a few of the trials awaiting the 18-year-old Canadian, who feels blessed to be introduced into his new community.
"It just feels like I'm joining a real racing family, that's the best way to put it,", Stroll said.
"I've seen the first car ever built by Williams, Montoya's car, Prost's and all these amazing cars and you just feel like you're part of this chain of history."
Given his young age, Stroll's role models are men who, for many, were still racing not too long ago. And he's hoping to draw some inspiration from his ultimate racing hero.
"Growing up, my hero in racing, I would say was Michael Schumacher," he admitted.
"Jacques (Villeneuve), I think won the championship a year before I was born, it's a bit before my time !
"But I know a bit of my history and I've obviously watched some races from the past with Mansell, Villeneuve, Prost and all those guys."
In a season riddled with so many unknowns, Stroll is determined to learn and give it his best while feeling confident of his potential.
"2017 is going to be full of challenges, new cars, new regulations," he said.
"But, as it is my first year, I'm not going to focus on winning the world championship, I'm just going to do the best that I can.
"It's actually a dream come true, to be a Formula 1 driver, but then to actually go to Melbourne, go out in FP1, qualifying and the race, it's incredible.
"I can't really tell you how I feel because I don't know myself. I'll tell you after," he concluded.
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