Mike Krak: Fernando Alonso believes in our project

Mike Krak, Head of Aston Martin F1, spoke about the partnership with Sebastian Vettel, who decided to retire from Formula 1, the contract with Fernando Alonso and how the team is preparing for the future.

Q: So Mike, let’s start with Fernando…
Mike Krak: He just has that quality called “killer instinct.” Whatever happens, you are always sure that Fernando will do his best, always give 100%, squeeze everything out of the car and out of the team. The level of his racing skills is exceptionally high – this is a very correct approach, combining confidence, instinct and intelligence.

The contract with Fernando is a concrete statement of our intentions. Our team doesn’t just enter the championship for the sake of competing. She’s here to win. We want to lead the way and the decision of a driver of this caliber to join Aston Martin F1 shows that Fernando believes in our project. It is a recognition of the achievements of our team and the work we do.

He will set high standards for us, as you would expect from a driver who has won more than one championship. Fernando will be the driving force that will move us forward together. Like everyone on our team, I can’t wait to work with him as soon as possible.

Q: What do you like most about the team, and which of these will be useful in the future?
Mike Krak: Great teamwork is what sets the Aston Martin F1 apart. Everyone helps each other, acts together and makes every effort to achieve the goal – join the group of leaders.

This creates a positive and constructive working atmosphere and now we have to use all the energy of the team to make our car faster. First of all, we need to increase its effectiveness, because we already have all the necessary ingredients for success.

One of our strengths, for example, is the reliability of technology. In terms of the number of laps covered, our AMR22 car takes second place, and this indicates the quality of our work, that all processes are well established. By working under pressure, we are able to build a reliable machine.

When we started the season, however, she was not fast enough. We tried to win back, but the opponents didn’t sit still either. These are our key challenges in 2022.

Q: In the first half of the season, the team upgraded the car significantly. Can you indicate how much effort it took?
Mike Krak: All teams are introducing new products, including us. In the first half of the season we significantly upgraded the AMR22, but everything is relative. From the outside it seems that the novelties did not work, because our position in the standings did not improve, although in fact they worked. But this was not enough to regain the backlog of rivals.

All this gives a false impression of the work we have done at the Silverstone base and on the racetracks. People don’t always realize how much effort the team has put into developing and manufacturing these components and underestimate the intensity of our workflows.

We have been wrongly accused of copying something, even though the new rear wing we introduced in Hungary has shown our ability to create interesting innovations and stay ahead of the competition by incorporating ideas that others don’t.

Q: When can the team move to car development in 2023?
Mike Krak: While we need to keep working on increasing the speed of the AMR22, this is being done by a small group of specialists and we have already turned our attention to the AMR23. This happened some time ago, because you have to make sure that the new car is fast right away. A new season and a new car give the best chance to stay ahead of the competition.

Q: How are Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll coping with this season’s difficulties?
Mike Krak: They are doing great. Both should be commended as we’ve had some really tough moments this year. The car is difficult to drive and the drivers could easily get discouraged, but Lance and Sebastian always remained positive and acted very professionally.

I’m proud of our drivers, including Nico Hulkenberg and Jessica Hawkins, who did a great job on the simulator and helped the team refine the car. And of course Nico did a great job replacing Sebastian, who then had Covid, for the first two Grands Prix.

Q: Dan Fallows (Technical Director) and Eric Blandin (Deputy Technical Director) are just two of the many talented people who have joined Aston Martin this year. How did they work with the team?
Mike Krak: Of course, Dan and Eric are highly visible figures, but many other talented specialists of different levels have joined the team, from beginners to experienced professionals. With their enthusiasm, knowledge and passion, they play a crucial role in achieving our objectives.

Dan and Eric are leaders, they are responsible for channeling the energy of others in the right direction and creating the right environment in which our employees can reach their full potential and contribute to the progress of the team.

Andrew Green, our Chief Technology Officer, has shown great leadership and vision, helping to create an atmosphere where people of the caliber of Fallows and Blandin can apply their knowledge, experience and contribute to the cause. Not giving people the freedom to act slows the progress of both individuals and the team as a whole.

Q: How is the construction of the team’s new base going?
Mike Krak: In the first quarter of next year, the first building will be completed, which will house the design, production and marketing departments. Construction has already started on the third building, where our wind tunnel will be located.

A new wind tunnel and a new simulator will be ready in 2024. As soon as we move into the first building, the building of the current base will be demolished and a second building will be built in its place. It will house the administration, logistics center and simulator.

All divisions of the team will be in one area, this will help to unite the team, strengthen the bonds between people and simplify their communication and interaction. Every effort is made to make the team’s work more efficient.