Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack says Lawrence Stroll's public image as a difficult and uncompromising figure does injustice to the Canadian who "puts all of his heart" in his team.
Stroll carries a big presence in the Formula 1 paddock, not only by his imposing physical stature but also by his self-proclaimed ambitions to steer his Aston Martin team to the top of the grid in the coming years.
Whether in a board room or in the paddock, the 63-year-old billionaire speaks loud and clear about his objectives, as he does about his past successes as a business entrepreneur in the fashion industry with such well-known brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger or Michael Kors.
That said, rumors of Stroll's omni-presence at Silverstone and meddling with the team's day-to-day running are frequently peddled.
But Krack, who succeeded Otmar Szafnauer as Aston Martin's team principal, insists the gossip as well as Stroll's public image are wide of the mark.
"He is often done an injustice," the former BMW motorsport boss told Germany's Sport 1.
"He gives us a free hand and doesn’t interfere every 10 seconds. The fact that he asks for an update on the team once a week is completely legitimate in my eyes."
Stroll has been supporting his big ambitions for his team with a comprehensive financial and build-up plan that includes a state-of-the-art new factory and wind tunnel that are currently under construction, and the recruitment of key engineering personnel, not to mention his recent poaching from Alpine of two-world champion Fernando Alonso.
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Financially and logistically, it's an all-out commitment by Stroll, insists Krack.
"I think it’s very unfair what people are saying – Lawrence is extremely generous," he told Tom Clarkson on a recent Beyond the Grid podcast.
"He puts all of his heart in this team. And coming once a week, he doesn’t do any more than asking for a status and asking ‘where are we at and what is next?’
"And I think it’s also sensible and justifiable with all the investment he did and all the tools he puts at our disposal.
"So from that point of view, yes, he’s ambitious, but it is not a problem.
"And you read here or there that Lawrence is deciding everything. He lets us [have a] free hand in a lot of things. And to be honest, I admire his patience sometimes."
©AstonMartin
Aston Martin is in the middle of its weakest season since Stroll's acquisition of the team in 2018 due to the lack of pace and issues impacting its new-generation AMR22 contender.
But Krack says Aston's team owner is the first to bear the brunt of the outfit's struggles this season.
"It’s hard for him," he added. "He’s obviously the most exposed of all of us.
"I think it’s very difficult for him to explain to our partners and sponsors why we are not where we maybe promised we would be.
"Obviously he makes sure we understand it is difficult for him. It’s up to us to solve this and provide more results so he has an easier time with his partners."
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