Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack discusses Canadian Grand Prix tyre strategy and his team’s pace in relation to championship leaders Red Bull as well as Mercedes and Ferrari.
Following an impressive drive from Fernando Alonso to P2 in the Canadian Grand Prix, despite the Spaniard being asked to save fuel for the majority of the race on Sunday, Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack commented on the team’s tyre strategy decisions during the race.
“We were quite comfortable with the hard at the end.”
When asked what he believes the pace difference between the hard tyres chosen for defending Alonso, compared to the mediums chosen by Mercedes for Lewis Hamilton as he chased him down, Krack defended his team’s decision. He noted that Hamilton seemed to be unable to sustain the pace he showed early in his stint, suggesting Aston Martin had made the better call on strategy.
“I think if it was a race for pushing, pushing really hard, I don’t think we had a bad tyre,” he said. “Because there was so long to go. Lewis [Hamilton] was pushing quite hard in the beginning but then he could not sustain that pace.
“I don’t know if he was told to back off or whatever but I think we were quite comfortable with the hard at the end. The choices you make are also to cover some more safety cars or things like that, and I think Max [Verstappen] had another hard available, Lewis, I think not.”
When asked about Aston Martin’s pace during the Grand Prix, which suggested the team had somewhat closed the gap to Red Bull, with Alonso finishing just 9.5s behind Verstappen despite managing fuel, Krack was quick to play down the excitement as he highlighted Verstappen may have been managing his pace.
“I don’t know how much Max [Verstappen] was pushing,” Krack admitted. “So I think we were closer than lately, but maybe if we get closer he pushes more. So it’s very [hypothetical]. But I think we can safely say that we did not drop back in the pecking order. Which for us is quite important after Barcelona.”
“We need to keep our feet on the ground.”
Krack was then grilled further and asked if he believes Aston Martin’s pace has allowed them to put pressure on the reigning champions. The Aston Martin team principal showed his respect for his rivals as he once again played down the idea, and acknowledged that Aston Martin are newcomers to the front of the grid.
“I think I should not make any such statements to put them under pressure,” he replied. “Because they are world champions, they are the winning team. We have now a year, our first year, where we are a bit better. So I think we need to keep our feet on the ground.”
“Red Bull are in front and the other three are close.”
When asked if Aston Martin’s pace may be track specific, having come from Barcelona where the team seemed to struggle, Krack admitted that it is a possibility while also noting how difficult it is to compare any of the top team’s at the moment as the balance seems to shift race by race depending on track characteristics.
He also commented on the additional disparity between races as the teams each bring upgrades to different Grands Prix, making it even more difficult to develop a clear understanding of the pecking order at this point.
“That is a good point. Canada is specific, and you will remember that I said in Barcelona that we should always wait a couple of races to identify, really, where you are. With the mix between updates and the track characteristics, how they come, it makes it really difficult to get a clear picture.
“I think the safest thing to say at this point is Red Bull are in front and the other three are close. I think that is what we can say safely. Anything else I think it’s also the shape of the dat. How you are that day, or how the circuit is suiting your car, or which tyres you have.”
