Mike Krack, Aston Martin team principal, explains his outlook as development continues for the 2024 season. After a tricky last six months, the British outfit is working to rectify its mistakes with the AMR23.
This year was a tale of two halves for Aston Martin, whose progress with the AMR23 was disrupted mid-season. A series of upgrades in Spain and Canada put the team in the wrong direction, ruining their momentum and complicating their season.
Mike Krack’s team only made a partial recovery, showing signs of promise in Brazil, Vegas and – to a lesser degree – Abu Dhabi. Their difficulties were somewhat exaggerated in America and Mexico, where the team still didn’t understand its upgrades.
Still, it would be inaccurate to suggest that all doubts have been erased for 2024. The volume of late-season experiments makes it difficult to draw any definitive conclusions.
Aston’s team principal has outlined what the expectations are for next year:
“We did understand the car by the end of the season. But it would be wrong to say we understood absolutely everything about the AMR23.
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43 and Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23 collide.
29.10.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 20, Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City, Mexico, Race Day.
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“We understood a great deal. We know what we want to do for 2024 and the direction we need to go in with next year’s car.
“But that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to turn up at the season opener in Bahrain next year and be fighting for the race win.”
There are several ways these statements can be interpreted. On one hand, some might describe these comments as “sandbagging”, an attempt to lower expectations before next year.
Generally speaking, this is standard practice in F1. There is little to gain and much to lose from being overly optimistic during the winter break.
However, Krack’s comments might be more honest and introspective. In the second half of the season, Aston Martin dropped significantly to become the fifth-fastest team overall.
If they are to rediscover the performance necessary for regular podiums, they must produce another winter of impressive development.
Author: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
