Fernando Alonso & Lance Stroll’s ‘Unemotional’ Qualities Take Spotlight as Aston Martin Stages Comeback

As the 2023 season comes to a close, Aston Martin can be proud of what they have accomplished this season. Climbing from 7th place in 2022 directly to 2nd at the start of the 2023 season was nothing short of remarkable. However, as the Silverstone outfit prepares for the season finale in Abu Dhabi. A fresh narrative has emerged that shifts the focus to the composed demeanor of the two Aston Martin drivers; Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Team Principal Mike Krack recently spoke about how their two drivers have helped them stage a comeback in the closing stages of the season.

Aston Martin’s startling form during the start of the season was momentarily disrupted as the team faced a stumbling block mid-season. The team brought in a few major upgrades that didn’t quite meet expectations. This saw them slip down the rankings, out-developed by competitors like Mercedes and McLaren.

Mike Krack opens up about the unique unemotional approach of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll

Throughout the season, Fernando Alonso has consistently delivered standout performances, often overshadowing his teammate, Lance Stroll. The Canadian, however, found redemption with stellar P5 finishes in the last two races in Brazil and Las Vegas, proving crucial to the team’s constructors’ battle with McLaren.

Team Principal Mike Krack recently shed light on the unique qualities that have propelled Aston Martin forward. In a recent conversation with AS online sports newspaper, Krack highlighted the constructive and unemotional approach of both his drivers in providing feedback to the team. “At first, I thought it was the honeymoon,” Krack remarked, reflecting on the initial success of the season. “But then we had difficult moments as a team. And that shows the qualities of Fernando and Lance. Because there were very complicated situations several races ago, and the relationship was even strengthened.”

According to Krack, “The two riders are very constructive. They comment on the main problems, but always from a constructive perspective. Always talking about facts, not emotions. It’s a pleasure to see.” [translated via Google]

As the team faces the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Krack acknowledges that while they have solved many problems with the AMR23, claiming to have everything figured out would be arrogant. “These cars are very complex, and there’s a lot to learn for us,” he admitted. However, he expressed confidence in the team’s learning curve. He noted, “I won’t say we’ve figured it all out, but we’ve learned a lot.” The question of more experiments in Abu Dhabi elicited a simple, affirmative response from Krack: “Yes.”

READ MORE: Fernando Alonso Wins Coveted Award in GQ Men of the Year 2023

In a different conversation with Motorsports.com, Mike Krack spoke about what the team will focus on in Abu Dhabi.

Looking beyond the rivalry: Aston Martin’s focuses on bringing a fast car to Abu Dhabi

While the battle in the constructors’ championship is close, with Aston Martin trailing McLaren by a mere 11 points. Team Principal Mike Krack insists that the team will not focus on the battle with McLaren in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“For me, it doesn’t change anything, compared to two or three races ago,” Krack asserted. He stressed the need for the team to focus on its own performance rather than getting mixed up in strategic maneuvers aimed at beating McLaren. “We can only influence what we do ourselves,” he added. Aston Martin was comfortably ahead of McLaren until the United States GP.

Despite this, Krack remains unfazed, stating that the team’s strategy remains unchanged. “The first bit is we have to have a fast car in Abu Dhabi because we are behind. So it’s something that we are not on the defense; we have to go flat out, and then we see. We have to do the best possible, and then we see what is the result,” he explained.

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Whether Aston Martin can outpace McLaren remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—the fighting spirit of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will be on full display in the desert as they aim to close the season on a high note.