Mike Krack is downplaying Fernando Alonso’s unusual disappointment after the Singapore GP weekend.
With Red Bull’s noted downturn on the city-state’s illuminated streets, Aston Martin too had a tough time – with Alonso not getting any points for the first time in 2023.
The 42-year-old Spaniard said his car was “undriveable”, and feels Aston Martin is lagging behind the competition in mid-season growth.
In line with Red Bull, he brushed off the notion that the FIA’s restrictions on movable bodywork led to this decline.
“For us it has not been a change in anything. We didn’t have to change anything,” Alonso, 42, repeated.
“Singapore was not good for Red Bull obviously or Mercedes in the past when they dominated the championship, so let’s see. But I think there are a lot of things to fix in our car.”
This change in sentiment from Alonso in 2023 is in stark contrast to his previously optimistic approach, marked by several top-three finishes.
However, team leader Mike Krack isn’t letting Alonso’s current mindset cause any worry.
“We want him to give everything, so there is no problem,” he shared with DAZN Espana.
“We’ve had a couple of bad races, but we’ve also had some good ones,” Krack commented. “Across a 22-race season, and typically in sports, highs and lows are expected. It’s just the nature of it.
“So we have to learn the lesson, take the positives, and move on as soon as possible. But yes, we thought it would be better.
“And as a team, we have to recognise that if a driver is critical, if there is not the performance that he expects and to which he is accustomed, I think it’s fine. It’s normal that athletes react like that.
“So there is no problem,” Krack reiterated.
The leader of Aston Martin pointed out Alonso faced suspension issues during the Singapore GP and conceded the team didn’t perform up to the mark.
“It was a really tough couple of days for the team in Singapore,” said Krack. “We were down to one car on Sunday and we hope to see Lance (Stroll) back with us in Japan.
“Now we need to understand where we can find more performance. At the end of the day I think Singapore was a bit of surprise for the whole paddock, because we saw a completely different order, didn’t we?
“So I think that’s something we have to understand. Obviously there was the resurfacing of the track, the layout of the corners was different, so we have to understand all of that.
“But I think there are some fuming heads and not just in our garage,” he smiled.
Canadian Stroll, having felt under the weather following his rapid qualifying mishap in Singapore, confirmed on social platforms that he’s set to return to his green vehicle in Suzuka.
