Mike Krack, the former BMW motorsport chief, has been named as the next team principal for the Aston Martin F1 squad.
Mike Krack is a motorsport expert who previously worked for Sauber in Formula 1 and led BMW’s Formula E, GT, and IMSA projects. He will take over the team management tasks that Otmar Szafnauer previously held.
Krack’s motorsport resume includes a two-year stint with Porsche’s LMP1 team in the WEC, where he worked alongside current McLaren F1 team manager Andreas Seidl, in addition to his time as chief engineer with BMW-Sauber and his exploits with BMW Motorsport.
“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,” said Aston Martin F1 owner and chairman Lawrence Stroll.
“We are hiring brilliant new people every week… Our new factory build is coming along very well… We have a fantastic roster of superb sponsor-partners.”
“We are about to embark on year two of our five-year plan, the objective of which is to win Formula One World Championships.” the Canadian businessman added.
“All the ingredients we require are coming together.”
“Mike will play a central and leading role, reporting to Martin Whitmarsh and leading our technical and operational functions, our collective aim being to fulfil those lofty ambitions… We are on our way.”
Krack also commented on his new appointment in the Aston Martin F1 team.
“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,” commented Krack.
“I have been working in motorsport for over 20 years, and worked in Formula One with Seb Vettel in 2006 and 2007 when I was a BMW-Sauber engineer and he was the team’s test driver.”
“I have huge respect for his speed and ability, and it will be fantastic to be reunited with him. Lance Stroll is a seriously fast and talented driver, too, with 100 Grands Prix starts to his name, and I am very much looking forward to working closely with him.”
“Team Silverstone has always impressed me. It is full of talented people and real racers.”
“That racer’s culture and values are what is required to succeed in motorsport – I know that and my new colleagues at Aston Martin know it, too. We will work incredibly hard. We want to win. Together, we will.”
