Formula One: Rookie Lance Stroll chuffed to get first points on board at Canadian Grand Prix

Lance Stroll of Canada driving the (18) Williams Martini Racing Williams FW40 Mercedes on track during practice for the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on June 9, 2017. PHOTO: AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Montreal (AFP) - Teenage rookie Lance Stroll beamed with satisfaction and delight on Sunday after claiming his first points in Formula One by finishing ninth for Williams in his home town at the Canadian Grand Prix.

The 18-year-old Canadian, who had been under pressure after struggling for consistent form in the opening races of the season, produced a battling performance, and became the first non-Villeneuve Canadian to score points in Formula One.

"It's been a difficult time, a tricky start to the season, but we have known we were capable of doing it," he said.

"This is a special day in so many ways. It's about having a clean weekend, a solid race and I had good communication and good balance today.

"It's special to be able to overtake and fight. Sometimes it's boring and you just finish where you started, but it wasn't like that today. I had such a battle with Fernando Alonso!

"I have never doubted our ability to score points. We are far from perfect, but I know our pace can be strong when we get everything right.

"There has always been something that just gotten in the way of scoring points. We had to fight our way through, but it was a consistent race today.

"So, now, the first points are done. It's not going to get easier - we will still have challenges but I am just happy today."

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.