(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Formula 1 weekends in Monaco and Barcelona have mercilessly revealed Aston Martin’s AMR26 potential. Although the two track characteristics differ significantly, the team struggled with the same problems at both circuits. For Mike Krack, this is a clear sign that the deficits cannot be attributed to a single area.
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“The track characteristics could hardly be more different than in Monaco,” explains Krack after the Barcelona Grand Prix. “Here there are many fast and medium-speed corners and very few slow corners.
In Monaco, it is exactly the opposite. In Monaco, the challenge is to get the tires to work. Here, the attempt is to cool the tires. It is really very different. But the fact that we are trailing at both tracks shows that we have to work in all areas.”
Hope for Monaco not fulfilled
Before the Monaco weekend, Aston Martin had hoped for a better performance because engine power traditionally plays a lesser role on the street circuit. But the reality was sobering. Both drivers qualified at the back of the field and were even behind Cadillac.
Fernando Alonso did score a point but benefited from several retirements and problems among competitors: Sergio Perez crossed the finish line tenth for Cadillac but was demoted to 15th after a time penalty. Alonso “inherited” the point.
Barcelona brings even clearer disillusionment
The balance in Barcelona was even worse. Lance Stroll and Alonso again occupied the last row on the grid. The gap to the Ferrari-powered Cadillacs was about one second in qualifying.
After qualifying, Alonso spoke bluntly. The Spaniard called it the “worst car” and the “worst engine” on the grid. In the race, both Aston Martins subsequently retired with technical problems.
For Krack, there is no single factor explaining the difficulties. Asked about the causes of the large gap, he answers: “I think it’s everything. We have to improve. If it were just one thing, it would be pretty simple.”
Aston Martin relies on a big upgrade package
Currently, unlike many competitors, Aston Martin is refraining from aggressive development of the car. Instead, the team is focusing on a comprehensive package of upgrades that is set to debut at the Belgian Grand Prix in mid-July. Until then, little change in the hierarchy is expected.
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“It weighs on everyone,” admits Krack. “You feel it. You feel it in the garage and especially with the drivers. We’ve already talked about it. It’s a very difficult situation.”
All Aston Martin Formula 1 team principals
At the same time, he points to technical director Adrian Newey and the team’s long-term strategy: “We have a strong leader. The decision was made to improve the car at this point. We all have to commit to this decision, even if it is difficult.”
Krack emphasizes that the team must use the time until the new parts wisely: “It would be easy to say that we are just going in circles and waiting for the upgrades. Some problems will still be there. We have to use the opportunities to solve them or at least get better.”
Krack still sees learning potential despite the gap
Even from sportingly difficult situations, insights can be gained: “You always learn new things, as crazy as that sounds. When you are three or four seconds behind, you think you are racing in a different category.”
“Nevertheless, we are learning a lot. Barcelona is a very demanding track in terms of energy management. I think we have learned a lot and know better how to adjust our processes to get the maximum out of it.”
Asked about the positive aspects, Krack found it difficult to answer. “It’s hard to see any,” he says. “Our only stop at the Barcelona Grand Prix was, in my opinion, very good. In all other areas, we have to keep working and try to improve.”
Weakest season start since the 2021 restart
The difficult start to the season is Aston Martin’s weakest since the team’s return under Lawrence Stroll in 2021. After extensive investments, high-profile signings, and infrastructure expansion, expectations for the first car generation developed under Adrian Newey were significantly higher.
However, the results of recent weeks have shown that the team still has a long way to go before a turnaround.
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