Krak: We need to understand what Alonso wants to achieve with the car

Mike Krak, head of Aston Martin F1, commented on the progress of testing, but of course refrained from specific assessments. From his point of view, the main conclusion is that the new machines work quite reliably. At the same time, he recalled that only his team’s car raised red flags when it stopped on the track due to an electronic malfunction. Little did he know at the time that a similar story happened to Mercedes towards the end of the second day of testing due to hydraulic problems…

Question: How do you rate the progress of the tests??

Mike Crack: First of all, it should be noted that all Formula 1 cars are very reliable, and we were the only team to raise red flags yesterday morning. Everything else is going well, and all instances where the virtual safety car mode was introduced took place in accordance with the FIA ​​plan.

I think the important conclusion is that all teams have prepared well for the season and have brought reliable cars to the tests. If we talk about the failure of electronics that happened to us yesterday, then we have already found out what it was related to, and it will not happen again.

Q: Everyone perked up noticeably yesterday when Fernando Alonso showed the second time of the day – what are his impressions of the Aston Martin car?

Mike Crack: We need to get to know Fernando even better, because it seems we have been working together for a long time, starting with the tests in Abu Dhabi. But in fact the first full day of testing was only yesterday, so we need to get to know each other better, understand what he wants to achieve with the car and how we are going to build our partnership in general.

We need to build mutual understanding, but while the work has only just begun, we also completed fewer laps than planned yesterday. All this also has an effect.

Q: Obviously we are trying to get ahead as testing is still ongoing, but nevertheless can you share your predictions for the first three races? Can Aston Martin lead the mid-group of teams?

Mike Crack: This has always been our goal, but you understand that it is still too early to make predictions. The teams have a whole range of rubber compounds at their disposal, everyone works with different amounts of fuel in the tanks, someone works with DRS, someone without, so the real joining of forces only becomes clear when the races start.

That is why it is now very important to prepare as well and thoroughly as possible for the first leg of the season, which is only a week away.

Q: Of course the team’s job is complicated by the injury Lance Stroll sustained during a cycling session – how is he doing? Can you share an update and we’ll see it next week?

Mike Crack: His business is going well, we are monitoring the development of the situation and from the beginning we said that all this was just a precaution. We will continue to assess how he is doing every day and hopefully we will see him next week.