Evelyn CamdenAston Martin’s Mike Krack is hopeful about Fernando Alonso’s contract extension beyond 2024, amidst speculation and challenges.
The Spaniard has been linked with moves to top-tier teams such as Red Bull or Mercedes F1.
However, at Suzuka, Dr. Helmut Marko ruled out pairing the 42-year-old driver with Max Verstappen next year (if Verstappen stays…), while Alonso himself stated that struggling Mercedes was not very “attractive.”
For even before the season started, Alonso set clear conditions for staying with Aston Martin for another season. Firstly, that he decides not to retire again, and secondly, that the Silverstone-based team continues to build towards becoming one of the top F1 teams.
Team boss Krack said that the first real assessment of how 2024 is going will be made after the fifth race, which takes place in Shanghai next weekend.
“We are taking the first five races as a reference to see where we stand. And so far, we have been, in the overall standings, the fifth fastest team.”
“Maybe sometimes close to fourth place, which means you are normally fighting between seventh and tenth place.”
In reality, this is not progress from 2023, where Aston Martin finished fifth, behind Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes.
“We need to add more,” Krack admits. “There’s no doubt that we need to do more.”
“But I think if Fernando can fight with Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren and not be nowhere behind them, that’s already a first step. And we’re not going to stop there.”
Specifically referring to Alonso and his deliberations for 2025, Krack adds: “We will continue to bring him new parts throughout the season to keep him motivated and happy at Aston Martin.”
He also admits being encouraged by Alonso’s remark at Suzuka that a move to Mercedes is not attractive at the moment.
“I think when you see what has happened over the last two or three years, the progress made by the teams, it’s good to see that there’s a possibility at Mercedes but maybe it’s better he stays here. Aston Martin F1 is ‘better’ for him than Mercedes, let’s make sure this feeling lasts.”
Krack Confident in Alonso’s Aston Martin Future. Krack Confident in Alonso’s Aston Martin Future
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