Aston Martin announce Mike Krack as new team principal

Following Otmar Szafnauer’s departure as team principal last week, Aston Martin have confirmed the appointment of Mike Krack as their new team boss.



Previously BMW’s head of race and test engineering, Krack worked with Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel as an engineer at the Swiss BMW Sauber team over a decade ago ago, and is excited to work with him again.



He also expressed his delight at the opportunity presented to him by team owner and chairman Lawrence Stroll, as well as CEO Martin Whitmarsh.



READ: Aston Martin confirm Otmar Szafnauer’s departure



“It is a thrill and an honour to have been appointed to the position of Team Principal of Aston Martin Cognizant Formula On Team, and I am very grateful to Lawrence [Stroll] and Martin [Whitmarsh] for giving me such a fantastic opportunity,” he said.



“Aston Martin is one of the greatest automotive brands in the world, and to have been asked to play a leading role in delivering the on-track Formula One success that such an illustrious name so richly deserves is a challenge that I plan to embrace with energy and enthusiasm.



“I have been working in motorsport for over 20 years, and worked in Formula One with Seb Vettel in 2006 and 2007 when I was a BMW-Sauber engineer and he was the team’s test driver,” added Krack.



Speaking further on the German driver, Krack is full of admiration for Vettel’s achievements, and the expertise he brings to the Silverstone outfit.



“I have huge respect for his speed and ability, and it will be fantastic to be reunited with him. Lance Stroll is a seriously fast and talented driver, too, with 100 grands prix starts to his name, and I am very much looking forward to working closely with him.”







Krack emphasised that he is joining Aston Martin in search of success.



“Team Silverstone has always impressed me. It is full of talented people and real racers. That racer’s culture and values are what is required to succeed in motorsport – I know that and my new colleagues at Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team know it, too. We will work incredibly hard. We want to win. Together, we will.”



Stroll, whose son Lance races with the team, hailed Krack’s addition to the team.



“Winning in Formula One is all about bringing together the best efforts of all the principal players – drivers, engineers, mechanics, everyone – and Mike is perfectly placed to do just that,” the Canadian billionaire said.



“We are hiring brilliant new people every week. Our new factory build is coming along very well. We have a fantastic roster of superb sponsor-partners.”



Stroll reinforced Krack’s ambition for the team to challenge for title success in the coming seasons.



“We are about to embark on year two of our five-year plan, the objective of which is to win Formula One World Championships.



“All the ingredients we require are coming together. Mike will play a central and leading role, reporting to Martin Whitmarsh and leading our technical and operational functions, our collective aim being to fulfil those lofty ambitions. We are on our way.”




#Rosberg reveals #Mercedes asked him to fill in for Hamilton https://t.co/XyCSOsbzNO — Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) January 14, 2022




READ: Szafnauer linked to Alpine following Budkowski’s departure



Krack has worked with BMW in a variety of racing capacities, including Formula E, IMSA and WEC.



Former team principal Szafnauer continues to be linked with a move to Alpine following the departure of Marcin Budkowski.



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