Aston Martin Formula 1 team is undertaking a significant internal transformation as it battles through a challenging 2024 season marked by diminishing performance and notable staff departures, team principal Mike Krack has revealed. The Silverstone-based outfit, which enjoyed considerable success in 2023, now finds itself navigating through a complex period of transition.
The team’s current struggles are highlighted by a pointless run in the last three races at Austin, Mexico, and Brazil, marking a stark contrast to their 2023 campaign when Fernando Alonso secured six podium finishes. While Aston Martin maintains its fifth position in the constructors’ championship, the same as last year, the team’s overall performance metrics indicate a substantial decline.
Among the most significant changes in the team’s structure is the departure of technical director Dan Fallows, coming shortly after the high-profile acquisition of Formula 1 design legend Adrian Newey as managing technical partner and shareholder. Newey’s official tenure is set to begin in March, leaving the team in a transitional phase during the interim period.
“You have a team to develop, and you have a car team,” Krack explained, emphasising the importance of maintaining distinct approaches to these different aspects. “When it is the car, it is very short term. We speak [in] zero to eight, or 10 or 12 weeks; when you develop a team, [it is] maybe months and years. You need to isolate them, not mixing them too much.”
The team has taken steps to strengthen its leadership structure with the appointment of Andy Cowell, former Mercedes Power Unit chief, as CEO in October. Krack acknowledged Cowell’s positive impact, stating, “I have great support here now from Andy [Cowell], with how we split our tasks, how we split our jobs, so I think we’re moving in a good direction.”
The current season has presented significant challenges for both drivers. While Fernando Alonso has managed to exceed expectations in certain races, securing sixth and eighth-place finishes in Azerbaijan and Singapore respectively, both he and teammate Lance Stroll have struggled with the car’s inconsistent performance throughout the season.
Krack emphasised the importance of maintaining perspective and patience during this transitional period: “We have had some good results over the last weeks, where maybe the result was even better than we were thinking. So we stay calm there, and we also have to stay calm when you don’t score for an event.”
The team’s transformation comes at a crucial time in Formula 1’s competitive landscape, with teams facing increasing pressure to optimise their operations while adapting to evolving technical regulations. The addition of Newey, widely regarded as one of Formula 1’s most successful designers, signals the team’s ambitious long-term vision despite current challenges.
For team owner Lawrence Stroll, this season’s performance represents a significant setback compared to 2023’s achievements. The lack of podium finishes thus far stands in sharp contrast to the previous year’s success, highlighting the volatile nature of Formula 1 competition and the impact of organisational changes on team performance.