Aston Martin team boss Mike Krack says that while Lance Stroll was always the team’s preference to complete its driver line-up for 2025, it did consider other options potentially available to it.
After the Silverstone-based outfit prolonged Fernando Alonso’s contract on a multi-year basis back in April, there were questions about whether the team would do the same with Stroll given the Canadian’s low-key start to his 2024 campaign.
Stroll obviously enjoys a unique position at Aston Martin due to his father, Lawrence Stroll, being the team's owner.
There’s no doubt that this special status shields him from the typical performance pressures faced by other drivers on the grid.
Nevertheless, Krack suggests it would have been wrong for Aston not to consider alternatives before sealing a new deal with Stroll.
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“I think you should not get pressurised yourself by the driver market,” commented the Aston Martin team principal, quoted by Motorsport Week.
“I think you need to formulate what you want, which we were quite clear about and we pursued these targets.
“So, of course, you always look at what is there and what is available. I think plans B and plan C, obviously, everybody’s having.
“But if you can manage to make your plan A happen, then you should do that.”
Krack explained how keeping its current line-up unchanged maintains the team’s focus and stability, reducing distractions and fostering a collaborative effort towards future goals.
“I think for many weeks I said we want continuity, stability and continuity,” he added. “I think it’s very important for a team, especially heading into a new regulation set.
“And we’re quite happy that we have quite a mature line-up on the track. We know who our main opponents are and they are certainly not the other green car.
“So that is something that we have seen over the past years. They work very well together, pushing in the same direction. So we always wanted to do it like that.
“And obviously at this stage and throughout the season, I think the drivers was not our main problem.
“So we are quite happy that we have done this now and get some more calm into this situation.”
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