There is no two without three, says the Spanish proverb. Followers of Ferdinand Alonso dream of a third podium in Asturias. But in Aston Martin calm waters. “Let’s wait and see, we still end up here with two cars in the wall,” answers Mike Krack.
No doubt Krack remembers last year’s fatal Australian Grand Prix, when the car fell from third to last in Q1 because Vettel was protesting after the first two races and Strolla collided with Latifi. In the race Vettel had an accident shortly before the equator, but Strolla was able to return and finished 12th. They still left Melbourne, that they could open the chapel and the red balls like lanterns; even Williams scored a point in Melbourne!
Now, of course, the situation is very different. In 2022 they were trying to escape to the last place. Now that the second hand is looking at the smile, they have made two podiums in two classes, both signed by Fernando Alonso, and for the moment they can contain both Ferrari and Mercedes.
Last year in Melbourne they still had the initial car, one that seemed to be inspired by the Mercedes W13, at least the sidepod. They later began to work, when the sides that the Red Bull initially suspected were registered.
“Australia last year was the most difficult, but perhaps the most important moment for the team. After this bloody Grand Prix they all met together, we talked in the usual way, without any finger being marked. It would be very easy to sink, but we decided to strengthen ourselves to get ahead of the horse. That’s why we say that was a key moment for us,” explained Krack.
The team boss is careful to board the Mercedes between Bahrain and Jeddah, and will try the same in Australia. Ferrari wants to act and although Aston Martin is prepared and wants to trust its performance, he does not forget that “this is a semi-urban, less dangerous than Jeddah, but where usually there are more accidents… although this year. Jeddah things have been very calm” .
