Aston Martin have signed Fernando Alonso for his ‘killer instinct’, says Mike Krack

Sam Cooper
Fernando Alonso speaks to media. Baku June 2022.

Alpine driver Fernando Alonso is interviewed in the media pen during the weekend. Baku June 2022.

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has heaped praise on the team’s latest signing, Fernando Alonso.

It has been a week since the Spaniard shocked the Formula 1 world by announcing he will be swapping Alpine for Aston Martin and replace Sebastian Vettel, who is set to retire at the end of the 2022 season.

The news came as a shock to the French team, who then announced reserve driver Oscar Piastri would be stepping up in 2023 only for the young Australian to very publicly snub Otmar Szafnauer and co.

That saga looks set to rumble on, with Piastri still yet to announce where he will be racing, but the Aston Martin seats are sorted with Alonso joining Lance Stroll for 2023.

Considering the performances of the two teams over recent seasons, questions have been raised as to why the two-time former World Champion would choose to take what some would consider a downwards step to Aston Martin and there have been suggestions the Spaniard is moving for the money.

But team principal Krack has said Alonso, like the team, is there to win and said he had “that killer instinct”.

“No matter what, you know Fernando will always give you everything – always push 100 per cent, always extract the maximum from the car and the team,” the 50-year-old said. “His racecraft is exceptional – a formidable combination of confidence, instinct and intelligence.

“Signing Fernando is a clear statement of our intent at Aston Martin F1. We are not on the grid to make up the numbers. We are here to win.”

At times this season, Vettel has cut a frustrated figure and with the team currently second last in the Constructors’ Championship, there is plenty of work to be done if they are to start challenging for podiums let alone wins. Krack said he is aware Alonso will demand a lot of the team.

“We are on a journey to the front of the grid and Fernando’s decision to join us on that journey – to have a driver of his calibre believe in the Aston Martin F1 project – is a great compliment to our team and the work we are doing.

“He will demand a lot from us, but that’s to be expected from a multiple World Champion. Fernando will be a driving force as we climb together and, like everyone in the team, I cannot wait to work with him.

“The prospect of having Fernando and Lance in the car next year is a hugely exciting one.”

 

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