Aston Martin: Sharing Mercedes wind tunnel ‘no excuse’ for 2024 struggle
Mike Krack has refused to use sharing a wind tunnel as an “excuse” for the team’s poor form
Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has conceded the shared use of Mercedes’ wind tunnel could be “a factor” in his team being off the pace this season, but insisted it was no excuse for the downfall.
Whereas the 2023 campaign saw Aston Martin claim seven podium finishes in the first 18 grands prix, the return this term is zero. The team is lying fifth in the constructors’ standings with a best finish of fifth – this recorded at the second event of the year in Saudi Arabia.
“I think that would be too easy of an excuse,” said Krack when asked about the compromises of sharing a wind tunnel. “We have another team using the same wind tunnel with less time. So this is not an excuse.”
Pressed as to whether it could be a factor in the performance deficit, he added: “That’s possible, but still, we are quite far behind that team. So it’s maybe a factor for them.
“It’s maybe a factor for us, but I think with the same tool, we could do better.”
The issue of a shared wind tunnel is not one that will affect Aston Martin long-term, however, with the team’s state-of-the-art tunnel expected to come online by 1 January, when aero testing is permitted to begin on the 2026 cars.
While a combination of the new wind tunnel and key technical hires, including that of Adrian Newey from Red Bull, is hoped to turn Aston Martin into a frontrunning team, Krack doubled down in his refusal to wholly blame the team’s current situation for its form.
News
Rins: Leg injury not the reason for poor results
Rins: Leg injury not the reason for poor results Yamaha rider underlines his 100% fitness after Japan nightmare Alex Rins has stressed that his lack of competitiveness at struggling Yamaha has nothing to do with the limp he has been walking…
Ranking the real 2025 F1 driver line-up pecking order
Ranking the real 2025 F1 driver line-up pecking order As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, the sport finds itself on the cusp of a fascinating era. The 2025 driver line-up features a mix of seasoned veterans, young talents, and…
Alonso has a theory over F1’s safety car drought
Alonso has a theory over F1’s safety car drought F1 is currently on a nine-race streak without the safety car Fernando Alonso has suggested a strange quirk of the current generation of cars could be behind Formula 1’s safety car drought….
Will Sauber’s C44 go down as F1’s best point-less car, or are there better contenders?
Sauber appears to be on course to register its second Formula 1 season without a point, as 2024 has been hindered by a lack of development and pitstop problems. Will it go down as the ‘best’ car never to score,…
“Ducati MotoGP Sensation Set to Dominate the WRC: Racing Star Takes the Wheel of Group B Rally Car
Ducati MotoGP star to pilot Group B WRC rally car Enea Bastianini is among the star names celebrating rallying’s past and present at the Rallylegend festival Factory Ducati MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini is set to swap two wheels for four at the…
Blaney furious, Bowman “disappointed in myself” after Talladega wreck
Blaney furious, Bowman “disappointed in myself” after Talladega wreck Stage 2 at Talladega ended with two huge hits after a self-described “crappy push” from Alex Bowman. As the field battled for stage points, the Chevrolets of Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain moved to the…
End of content
No more pages to load