Author: Barkha Roy
Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack has spoken about the team’s recent slump in form after an impressive start to the 2023 Formula 1 season. Despite a strong start, with six podiums in the first eight races, the team has suffered a decline in performance in recent events. However, Krack remains confident that it has identified the main weaknesses of its car and is working on solutions to address them.
After Fernando Alonso’s P5 and Lance Stroll’s P9 at the Belgian Grand Prix, there is a sense that Aston Martin is beginning to understand the reasons behind its decline. Alonso’s declaration that the squad is back in contention further boosts the team’s confidence, allowing it to maintain third place in the constructors’ championship heading into the summer break.
Speaking in Spa, Krack expressed his optimism about the team’s prospects, citing the need for more data in Formula 1’s ever-changing landscape. He recognized that other competitors are also evolving their cars, which makes the constant search for a moving target. However, Krack believes that they have identified the main weaknesses and are determined not to introduce new problems while trying to solve them.
Krack praised the teamwork and open dialogue between his drivers, Alonso and Stroll. Putting them together helped to better understand the main cause of the drop in performance. The director also apologized to the drivers for the setback and acknowledged the challenging situation they faced in making the transition from a top car to a less competitive position.
Despite the recent setbacks, Krack highlighted the team’s achievements compared to last season, when they finished seventh in the constructors’ standings. This year, they have made significant progress, winning ten times as many points at this stage of the championship and securing third place in the standings.
As competition intensifies and development continues during and after the summer break, Krack emphasized the need for a well-planned development plan. He warned against implementing upgrades without fully understanding their potential impact, as this could lead to unnecessary spending and not achieving the goal of addressing the car’s weak points.
Looking to the future, Krack admitted that there is no “magic bullet” in the development race, but he is confident in the team’s plans and ongoing efforts to improve the AMR23. The focus is on maintaining progress and, at the same time, understanding that remaining competitive in Formula 1 requires tireless hard work and dedication.
With Alonso maintaining third place in the drivers’ championship and Aston Martin just ahead of Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, the team faces intense pressure in the coming races. However, their motivation remains high, as they are aiming for more podiums and more success in the championship.