Mike Krack has full praise for Fernando Alonso joining Aston Martin in F1 2023, as he adds that he knows the demands he will have to make the team successful.
One week into the summer break and with the “silly season” in full swing, one of the biggest coups and shocks or surprises was Aston Martin signing the 2005 and 2006 World F1 Champion Alonso. Prior to this of course had been the announcement that Sebastian Vettel had announced his intention to retire at the end of the current campaign.
The question that followed was basically who was going to fill his shoes. In short a four time WDC replaced by a two time WDC was a fantastic result. Not perhaps in the eyes of Otmar Szafnauer of Alpine, but that’s another story. Still, Alonso at Aston Martin for 2023 is a massive bonus for the Silverstone based outfit.
Krack who joined Aston Martin at the start of the season has kind words for Alonso joining the team. “He just has that killer instinct,” he said. “No matter what, you know that Fernando will always give you everything: will always give you 100%, always extract the maximum from the car and the team. His racecraft is exceptional – a formidable combination of confidence, instinct and intelligence.”
In a nutshell, wherever Alonso has driven, he has given value for money. From his beginnings at Minardi in 2001 to his debut win at Hungary almost 20 years ago, his world titles with Renault, the McLaren year first time around, the Ferrari years where he possibly should have added to his two Championships.
Even this season at Alpine he has been very impressive with the Alpine running at the sharp end more often, it really is Alpine’s loss and Aston Martin’s gain that he switching for 2023. Aston Martin has huge ambition, Vettel in 2021 and 2022 and now Alonso for 2023 coupled with the investment in the team. They don’t just want to be part of the grid.
“We are on a journey to the front of the grid and Fernando’s decision to join us on that journey – to have a driver of his calibre believe in the Aston Martin F1 project – is a great compliment to our team and the work we are doing,” said Krack.
Like the man he is replacing, he brings a myriad of experience to the team and he will be a massive plus for them, who is known for being a hard task master. Aston Martin as a team can only learn from the man that is Alonso.
“He will demand a lot from us, but that’s to be expected from a multiple World Champion.,” said Krack. “Fernando will be a driving force as we climb together and, like everyone in the team, I cannot wait to work with him. The prospect of having Lance and Fernando in the car is a hugely exciting one.”
With Stroll staying also, he too is a driver who will be well experienced as he will be entering his seventh season of F1 in 2023. He too at this stage is no longer a new kid on the block but can also still learn from the 2 time WDC. Aston Martin as a team are ambitious and are headed in the right direction.
Here’s Oscar Piastri on no Alpine
Here’s news from Alpine of promoting Oscar Piastri
Here’s Fernando Alonso signing with Aston Martin
