Mike Krack appointed Aston Martin Team Principal

 

Aston Martin have confirmed that former BMW motorsport head Mike Krack will be their new new Team Principal,taking over from the departing Otmar Szafnauer.

Although he is not known among many F1 fans Krack does have an F1 background having previously worked at Sauber and BMW Sauber – including working as an engineer with current Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel when he was the latter squad’s fresh-faced test driver.

After that Krack headed up BMW’s global motorsport operation since 2014, meaning he was in charge of the German manufacturer’s Formula E, GT and IMSA programmes, as well as overseeing their expansion into the new LMDh category. Prior to that, Krack spent a year and a half with Porsche as Head of Track Engineering for their LMP1 project, working alongside current McLaren Team Principal Andreas Seidl.

“It is a thrill and an honour to have been appointed to the position of Team Principal of Aston Martin,” said Krack. “I am very grateful to Lawrence [Stroll] and Martin [Whitmarsh] for giving me such a fantastic opportunity.

“Aston Martin is one of the greatest automotive brands in the world, and to have been asked to play a leading role in delivering the on-track Formula One success that such an illustrious name so richly deserves is a challenge that I plan to embrace with energy and enthusiasm.”

Commenting on the appointment of Krack Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll said: “Winning in Formula One is all about bringing together the best efforts of all the principal players – drivers, engineers, mechanics, everyone – and Mike is perfectly placed to do just that.

“We are about to embark on year two of our five-year plan, the objective of which is to win Formula One World Championships,” added Stroll.

“All the ingredients we require are coming together. Mike will play a central and leading role, reporting to Martin Whitmarsh [Aston Martin Group Chief Executive Officer] and leading our technical and operational functions, our collective aim being to fulfil those lofty ambitions. We are on our way.”

Former McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh, who is now the Aston Martin team's group chief executive, said Krack would report to him and Stroll.

"Having worked in very senior motorsport positions at both BMW and Porsche, backed by an engineering background in Formula One with Sauber, Mike possesses a blend of experience and expertise that makes him the ideal choice for us," he said.

"He works well with drivers, having prioritised that aspect of his role at BMW in recent years, and also with engineers, since he speaks their language."

Aston Martin also announced that their 2022 car would be launched on Feb. 10 at Gaydon, the English headquarters of Aston Martin Lagonda. The season starts in Bahrain on March 20.