Mike Krack, team principal of Aston Martin, expresses optimism regarding the likelihood of extending Fernando Alonso’s contract beyond 2024, despite speculation linking the Spaniard to top teams like Red Bull or Mercedes. However, at Suzuka, Dr. Helmut Marko of Red Bull ruled out pairing Alonso with Max Verstappen for the following year, and Alonso himself expressed reluctance to join the struggling Mercedes team.
Alonso has set clear conditions for staying with Aston Martin, including his decision against returning to retirement and the team’s commitment to evolving into one of Formula 1’s leading teams. Krack mentioned to Spanish broadcaster DAZN at Suzuka that a comprehensive evaluation of their progress in 2024 will occur after the fifth race in Shanghai, considering their current position as the fifth fastest team overall, occasionally challenging for fourth.
Aston Martin’s current performance doesn’t represent a significant improvement from 2023 when they finished fifth behind Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. Krack acknowledges the need for improvement but considers maintaining competitiveness as a crucial initial step. He asserts their commitment to continuous development and ensures Alonso’s satisfaction within the team by providing him with new components throughout the season.
Krack finds encouragement in Alonso’s statement at Suzuka that a move to Mercedes is currently unappealing. He suggests that, considering the recent progress made by teams, sticking with Aston Martin might be a more favorable option for Alonso.
Despite the allure of a potential move to Mercedes, Krack emphasizes the importance of continuity and the team’s efforts to create a competitive environment to retain Alonso’s enthusiasm and commitment.
Reflecting on the broader context of the Formula 1 landscape, Krack highlights the progress made by teams in recent years and suggests that while Mercedes presents a possibility, staying with Aston Martin might offer a more promising future for Alonso. This sentiment underscores the team’s determination to establish themselves as a force in Formula 1 and retain their key assets like Alonso.
