At the end of the 2021 season, Aston Martin finished in an extremely disappointing seventh place with a total points haul of just 77, (Vettel 43, Stroll 34).
This was not the return that the Formula 1 world or Aston Martin expected, the AMR21 was hampered by the change in the regulations brought in for the 2021 season. The changes to the aero regulations seemed to effect the lower rake cars more than the higher rake set-ups seen on the Red-Bull.
Otmar Szafnauer made reference to this issue throughout most of the early races, the biggest problem is that with the architecture of the car effectively “frozen” Aston Martin were stuck with what they had.
The team would labour through most of the season, hovering around the points, but not setting the world alight, Sebastian Vettel, in his debut season after signing from Ferrari, grabbed arguably the highest point if the team with a second in Azerbaijan. This was a decent result, but it came with a large slice of luck after a tire failure ended the race for Max Verstappen and a late red flag meant that the race was in essence a sprint.
Someone takes the fall
During the season it soon became clear the Otmar Szafnauer may not be at the team in the longer term, with the hiring of Ex Mclaren Team Principle Martin Whitmarsh hired as Aston Martin Group CEO, this appointment was a surprise to Otmar, who, when asked about the appointment, denied that the team were looking for a CEO, this was not a “corporate denial” but one born from ignorance as Otmar was not aware Aston Martin were looking to appoint a CEO.
Other rumours surfaced during the season, related to Alpine looking to Szafnauer to lead them into the 2022 season as team principle, this was flatly denied by Szafnauer.
Other rumours surfaced during the season, related to Alpine looking to Szafnauer to lead them into the 2022 season as team principle, this was flatly denied by Szafnauer.
With 2022 only 5 days old Aston Martin announced that Szafnauer had left the team with immediate effect, it was news that for the most part was not a surprise, giving the disappointing season in 2021.
Laurance Stroll, who has invested hundreds of millions of pounds into the team, with large scale investment continuing in the coming years, will not accept finishing in 7th in formula 1, it just will not do.
This left only one option for the Aston Martin owner/chairman, this had to change, things had to be freshened up.
Whats the Krack?
Aston Martin were limited in who they could bring to the team from within Formula 1, anyone that could be considered a good fit for the team are happy where they are. They have to look outside of the Formula 1 Sphere, they went to BMW, more precisely to BMW Motorsport’s Mike Krack, the 49-year-old, has a wealth of experience within the world of motorsport including Formula 1, he was involved with BMW-Sauber from 2006-2007. Outside of Formula 1 he was involved with Porsche’s endurance program before heading over to BMW to oversee the manufacturer’s Formula E, ISMA and GT programmes.
Mike Krack has carved out a reputation as someone that has been able to make the transition to a leadership role well, he has garnered the respect from all that have worked with him he certainly has the tools to be a team principle in Formula 1.
Aston Martin has a lot to prove in 2022, with the AMR22 breaking cover on the 10th Feb, its time for Aston Martin to spread there wings and show the F1 world what they can do.