Mike Krack, born in 1972, is a man of few words but many actions. Since the beginning of 2022, he has been leading the Aston Martin Formula 1 team, tasked with bringing the British brand back to the top. It’s a challenge he doesn’t shy away from, given his long and successful career in motorsport.
Early Career and Successes
Krack began his career as a testing engineer at BMW in 1998, where he quickly drew attention with his technical knowledge and analytical skills. In 2001, he moved to the Sauber F1 team. There, he worked as a race engineer with drivers such as Felipe Massa and Sebastian Vettel. He helped the Brazilian secure his first podium finish in 2006 and guided the German to his F1 debut in 2007.
Expanding Horizons
After seven years at Sauber, Krack decided to broaden his horizons and focus on other racing classes. He briefly worked in Formula 3 before returning to BMW in 2010 as the chief engineer of the new DTM program. Under his leadership, BMW made a successful comeback in the German touring car championship, with the 2012 title being the highlight. However, Krack did not stay long at BMW. At the end of 2012, he moved to Porsche, where he was involved in the WEC project. He was not part of the glorious period of the Porsche 919 Hybrid, as he returned to BMW again in 2014.
Mike Krack’s Return to Formula 1
This time, Krack stayed longer at the Bavarian car brand. He was given responsibility for BMW’s Formula E, IMSA, and GT activities and achieved various successes in these championships. He was also appointed to lead the LMDh project for the IMSA and WEC championship. However, in early 2022, he surprised everyone by choosing a new adventure in Formula 1.
“It’s exciting and an honor to be appointed team boss of the Aston Martin Formula 1 team,” Krack said upon his appointment. “I’ve always had a passion for F1 and I look forward to working with a talented and motivated team.” At Aston Martin, he was reunited with Vettel in his first season after fifteen years. However, the duo could not make a significant impact in 2022, as Aston Martin finished the season in seventh place in the constructors’ championship.
Vettel’s Departure and Alonso’s Return to F1
Vettel has now bid farewell to F1. His replacement is Fernando Alonso, who returns to the grid after a year’s absence. Krack is pleased with the arrival of the two-time world champion, who he believes brings a wealth of experience and speed. “Fernando is a fantastic addition to our team,” says Krack. “He has proven that he is still one of the best drivers in the world, and I think he will fit well with our culture and ambition.”
Renewed Glory or a Fluke?
At the start of 2023, Krack hoped that Aston Martin could take a step forward and compete for podium places. “We have a solid foundation to build on, but we must also be realistic about our position,” he says. “There is still much to learn and improve, but we also have a lot of potential and passion. We will do everything we can to make Aston Martin proud.”
A few races later, Krack’s confidence proved to be justified. Five podiums in the first six races and another sixth podium later in the year. Going into the summer break, Aston Martin is in third place. The team has been involved in an exciting battle with Mercedes, from whom Aston Martin purchases many parts, all season long. But despite the success at the beginning of the year, Aston Martin is losing more and more ground. The team cannot keep up with the upgrades of the competitors.
“That emphasizes how important it is to enjoy the good times, because they are absolutely not guaranteed,” reflects Krack after the first half of the year. “At the beginning of this year, we said it would take several years, that has not changed. We are still a growing and developing team. Currently, we are in the building phase. We have made a lot of progress, but we are not there yet.”
