Aston Martin F1 principal Mike Krack sees his team reaching a stage where battling for podiums and wins will no longer be a surprise in the future.
When Lawrence Stroll’s consortium decided to buy shares of Aston Martin Lagonda in 2020, which led to the renaming of the team from what was once called Racing Point, big plans were afoot as the name Aston Martin would return to the Formula 1 starting grid in 2021.
A five-year plan to win the title was in place, but as we enter the second year of this project, little progress has been made, in fact the reverse has happened.
Racing Point have won a race and finished fourth in the championship in 2020, securing three additional podiums in the same year. And while Aston Martin only finished seventh last year, it currently sits ninth in 2022.
The UK team has invested in a new factory and wind tunnel, as well as selected staff. In addition to the arrival of Martin Whitmarsh, former CEO of McLaren F1, we can also note the recruitment of the former director of aerodynamics at Red Bull, Dan Fallows, as well as Eric Blandin, who previously operated within Mercedes. F1 before.
While Krack underlined the fact that it takes time to establish a winning culture, he is confident that Aston Martin F1 will succeed in achieving its lofty ambitions.
“Going forward, I see Aston Martin as a team where success will be the norm,” said the Luxembourger. “I see a team that won’t be surprised to finish on the podium or win races. »
“We need to get to a point where we consistently get good results on track, but we also need to believe in our ability to get there. »
“Here, we are talking about developing a winning culture, which takes time, and for that you have to develop a fast car. Our journey has only just begun and there will be obstacles, but the fighting spirit of Aston Martin F1 is unrivalled. It’s a team I’m very proud to be part of and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. »
Aston Matin F1 is already doing a lot for diversity and inclusion
To bring the culture up, Aston Martin F1 has taken a step forward with the introduction of a more progressive program in Formula 1. Why is it so important for the discipline that everyone feels good? welcomed, and how to ensure that it becomes a reality?
“It’s very important that everyone feels welcome. Everyone’s point of view must be respected and everyone must be able to share their passion for sport. »
“Our new factory will be completed in the first quarter of next year. The fact that everyone works on the same campus will change the dynamic within the team in 2023. People will feel more integrated: they will be able to exchange face-to-face more easily and the space will be much more open, which will promote interaction. and dialogue. It’s all about collaboration and teamwork. »
“If an F1 team is only made up of closed-minded people, it’s hard to find performance. But if it’s filled with open-minded people who know how to welcome different ideas, different approaches, it becomes much easier. Multiple mindsets are critical to success, and it’s something we fully embrace as a team. »
“We demonstrated this through our ‘All in. All welcome. All celebrated. at the British Grand Prix, then with our collaboration with Racing Pride in favor of the LGBTQ+ community Our “Make a Mark” program, set up with our partner Cognizant, allows us to inspire the next generation and open the door to careers in motorsport. Finally, let’s mention our efforts to raise awareness of the under-representation of women in this industry. »
“We want to get to the point where people are going to say ‘wow, I want to be part of the Aston Martin F1 project. It’s a diverse team, made up of passionate people who share the same values as me, and it’s a team where I feel welcome, where I feel at home. Really, it’s important, like at home. »
“It’s already starting to happen, we see more and more greens in the stands and more and more talents are joining the team. As for what Formula 1 can do, I think the answer lies in the question “The sport has to do more than just talk about it. What you do is more important than what you say, that’s how you gain credibility. »
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