Aston Martin "potential" key to new Sebastian Vettel deal - new boss Mike Krack

Aston Martin

Aston Martin "potential" key to new Vettel deal - new boss Krack

Four-time champion is out of contract this year

Ian Parkes

Friday 4 March 2022 06:00

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New Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack has outlined what is required for four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel to remain with the F1 outfit beyond this season.

Vettel joined Aston Martin from Ferrari at the start of last season on an initial two-year contract that expires at the end of this year.

The 34-year-old's initial campaign with the team was a struggle, primarily on the basis of a major regulation change last winter that greatly affected the car and, in turn, the results.

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With a new set of regulations, much is now expected of Aston Martin that is also now under new stewardship following the departure of former boss Otmar Szafnauer and the arrival of Krack, who started on March 1.

Asked as to what will be required to make Vettel stay, the former BMW motorsport head replied: "I hope myself is already enough for him to stay - no, I'm joking!

"It's clear a guy like Sebastian, a four-time world champion, does not want to be 15th or 12th or P8. That's clear.

"It is our task to deliver a performing car and a performing structure because Sebastian is a clever guy.

"He will not be focusing just on this year's car but focusing more on what is happening and if sees the potential.

"So if we can manage to offer this to him, we have a chance to keep him for longer.

"To be honest with you, I have not spoken with him about it. This is something that will have to come, obviously.

"But all in all, it is our task to deliver the right package, then Sebastian will stay and other drivers would like to join."

Vettel can steer Aston Martin development

Krack previously worked with Vettel in 2006 and 2007 when he was an engineer with BMW-Sauber and his fellow German was just embarking on his F1 career.

Describing Vettel as "a very nice guy", Krack believes Vettel's qualities can only help improve Aston Martin to go on and achieve the aim of owner Lawrence Stroll of becoming champions in a few years' time.

"He manages to surround the team around him by not being nice all the time but by being respectful," added Krack.

"This is an ethic I share largely, so this is one of the reasons why I think we get along very well.

"But then, compared to when I knew him last, he is now a four-time world champion and he has accrued a huge amount of experience.

"He is a very clever guy, that is also why he manages to combine his experience, channel it in the right way and not say 'In the past I had this, in the past I had that'.

"He knows exactly what he needs to go faster, so from that point of view, it's great to have him and he can steer us as a team in our development."