They reveal how Aston Martin convinced Fernando Alonso

The signing of Fernando Alonso by Aston Martin caught the entire paddock off guard and even Alpine. How did your signing for Aston Martin come about? These questions are answered by one of the personnel behind the scenes, one of the main characters in the arrival of the player from Oviedo to the team of Silverstone. We define Mike KrackTeam Principal of Aston-Martin and Alonso’s next boss, who in an interview published on the British team’s website revealed some details about the negotiations with Fernando.

THIS IS ASTON MARTIN ALONSO’S SIGNATURE

According to Mike Krack, everything happened very quickly, after the Wednesday before the F1 Hungarian GP his current driver, Sebastian Vettel, told him that he would not continue in F1. Until then, their priority is to renew the German veteran, but in his absence, they need to quickly find a replacement with guarantees and good experience in the category.

“We always focus on Sebastian (Vettel), but we pushed for an answer before the summer break, because the longer the discussions last, the more problems you have. The ball really started rolling on Wednesday afternoon before the Hungarian GP, ​​when Sebastian confirmed his plans and told us he wanted to retire. That’s when Aston Martin took charge of the situation and contacted Alonso.

“We formally contacted Fernando later, the next day. A few days later, the deal was closed.” Simple, no complications.

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HOW DID ASTON MARTIN CONVINCE ALONSO?

“Fernando is a machine, a racing machine. It is completely dedicated to racing. He is determined to perform and compete at the highest level and sees Aston Martin F1 as the team that will allow him to do this.” sure Krak, making it clear that the main reason Aston Martin convinced Fernando Alonso was “the potential” the Spaniard saw in the group. According to Krack, that was decisive, more so than questions of money or the pilot’s specific weight on the team. According to Krak, Ferdinand Far from setting conditions, he was drawn to the project he saw.

“Fernando sees the potential of the team, the new facilities we are building, the people we are hiring, the investment that is being made, the steps that the Aston Martin brand is making, and he sees this as an opportunity. Aston Martin F1 is the best opportunity for you to achieve your ambitions. Fernando is determined to perform and compete at the highest level and sees Aston Martin F1 as the team that will enable him to do so.”

THE TEAM’S NUMBER ONE?

“Is this going to be the clear number one driver?”asked the journalist who authored the interview. And there came a remarkable and surprising answer: “No. Fernando and Lance have the same status. Fernando didn’t ask for that”.

“There was talk in the media that Aston Martin offered him things like number one status and a big salary, but I can assure you that Fernando is not doing it for the status or the salary,” Krack said.

“Of course, the package (salary and role offered to the driver) should be commensurate with a driver of Fernando’s caliber and experience, but the speed of the deal tells you that things like salary or Details of the deal are not . Fernando’s main motivators,” he added.

“He said it himself before the break: when both sides want to agree on something, it only takes 10 minutes. What sold Fernando was the opportunity to be part of a team that is developing and where he can of real impact,” commented the Aston Martin Team Principal.

AN ASSOCIATION FOR MANY YEARS?

Alonso has signed a contract for several years and has always reiterated that he wants to continue two or three more years in F1. But Mike Krack did not exclude that this association will be “many years together”, something he knows depends on the results obtained by his ambitious project.

“I don’t see Fernando’s age as a problem. For me, nothing will change. He must be judged on his speed and performance on the track, and it is clear that he is as good as ever. Also, isn’t 40 the new 30? I turned 50 this year and people keep telling me they are the new 40. If that’s true, Fernando is only 31! .

“I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that we still have many years left, if we can make the progress we need to make the car competitive. We didn’t perform as a team last season and this season; we knew we had to give him a top car”.

THE CHARACTER OF ALONSO

“And what happens if the team doesn’t deliver a top car or doesn’t develop fast enough? Fernando has never been one to beat around the bush., the journalist asked him. This is the question many F1 fans are asking themselves.

“The most important thing is to be transparent and honest. Fernando spoke directly. But it’s also important to remember that drivers like Fernando have only achieved what they have because they keep asking, struggling, wanting more. I would be worried, and disappointed, if he wasn’t. However, Fernando should not be the first to ask himself these questions, we should ask ourselves,” he said of the Spaniard’s winning character, welcoming the pressure that Oviedo will provide so that the team continues to improve week by week. , asking for new pieces and all teams strongly row in one direction.

“We have to be ready; we have to be able to anticipate what he will order. What ideas might you have? What could you possibly want from a car? What processes do you want the team to have? What are you doing with other teams that you think we should be doing too? If we already have the answers or are as prepared as possible for these questions, Fernando will know that we know everything., he will know that we give everything, which is what he expects from himself and from those around us. him,” he explained.

“I think it will be easy to handle Fernando? No, not quite. It won’t be easy. He will continue to challenge us and push for more, that’s the nature of a true champion, but I am sure he will get the most out of the car.” If we want to grow and become a top team, we need to be able to handle these types of drivers. Fernando is exactly what we need”, he expressed.

STROLL AND THE PRESSURE OF HAVING ALONSO

“And what about Lance? How will he deal with Fernando as a teammate?” they asked. The Canadian will have to face one of the best drivers on the grid at his side, comparing his performance session by session with Fernando Alonso. However, Mike Krack does not consider that this will be negative for Lance.

“People underestimate how good Lance is – they think he’s only here because his dad owns the team and put him in the car. But you don’t do as well as him against a four-time world champion (Vettel) by accident, and you don’t win as many junior single-seater championships as he does by accident,” he said of team owner son

“It’s important to remember that Lance has never really had a winning car in Formula 1, a car where he can show what he’s capable of – really deliver his talent. It’s up to him to give it to him and Fernando”, he pointed out.

“When Sebastian joined the team, people said Lance had no chance, but Lance performed very well against a four-time world champion – they were evenly matched. People were saying same thing now that Fernando has joined the team, but let’s wait and see. Maybe Lance will surprise…” he added.

“I don’t know if Fernando underestimates Lance, he is certainly not afraid to fight with him in the same car, or any other driver, but there is respect between them. They have known each other for several years, they are rivals and Fernando knows the qualities that Lance has. There is real respect between the two of them.”