This weekend in Monaco looks appealing for many teams and one of them is Aston Martin.
The Silverstone-based team is currently the second force in the constructor’ championship with 102 points, the real surprise of a F1 season that for now is being — once again — dominated by Red Bull, ahead of everyone with 224 points.
But the one on the Montecarlo circuit is a race on its own, and due to its characteristics it allows many to aim high, or at least dream of results that would be more difficult to achieve on other circuits.
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack said that the team’s aiming for a victory this weekend.
“We all have great hopes here for Monaco with our two drivers, we have a great car. In the simulator they were all quite excited,” he said to the media this morning.
“But we must not forget the competition. It is true that there are not so many straights here.
“It’s also true that we have not seen a Red Bull or Ferrari or Mercedes in high downforce configuration, because we did not have a maximum downforce track so far.
“So I think it would be easy to say, ‘Ah we going to be easily at the front.’ I don’t think it will be that easy. I think we will have to be 100% at all times.”
Photo credit: Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team
However, he issued a note of caution as usual as the humble nature of the Aston Martin team principal continues to show.
“There are so many things that can go wrong on our side, on anyone’s side. So I think we need to respect first of all, how tough the competition is in F1, how high level our opponents or competitors are here.
He also explained the situation on the upgrades that they brought in Monaco. Some of them were already planned for the race in Imola last weekend that was cancelled, others will be introduced in Barcelona.
“It’s split a little bit,” Krack said.
“The Imola upgrades, the ones that make sense, we kept on the car for here.
“There were one or two bits that we bring to Barcelona, because it makes no sense to bring them here.
“But yeah, it’s a split approach. So we will have some updates here, we will have some updates in Barcelona. And we will have some more to come after that.”
Fernando Alonso also opened up on the matter and when was asked whether he felt more confident about this race, he answered:
“I think the same as any other race, to be honest.
“We are not thinking that we are the strongest in Monaco. I don’t think that it’s going to be a huge change compared to Baku, which is [also] a street circuit. Miami [too].
“Ferrari outstanding in Baku – we could see another great weekend for them here.”
But then he conceded he has high expectations for this weekend, is victory number 33 coming after 78 laps on Sunday?
“If I tell you that I don’t come here thinking that I can win the race, I would lie to you. Because this is a one-off opportunity.
“And yeah. I will attack more than any other weekend.
“For us, it’s just a gift what we’re achieving at the moment. We didn’t expect to be in this position so we’re enjoying every weekend.
“But, yeah, there are a couple of weekends like this one that I come here thinking I will try to win,” the Spaniard concluded.
Photo credit: Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team
