F1 News: Aston Martin Grapples with Performance Dip - "Address It Step-By-Step"
Aston Martin's team principal, Mike Krack, has acknowledged the challenges the team faces in their quest to return to the F1 podium following a noticeable dip in performance before the summer break.
While the British team had a promising start with six podiums in the first 12 races, they faced setbacks after the Canadian Grand Prix, especially with competitors Mercedes and McLaren unveiling potent car updates.
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Speaking about their recent performance, Krack told the media:
"I think Hungary was the last element in the puzzle because it is a track where we expected to be more competitive and we were not.
"That was the last data point to confirm that maybe we're not going in the right direction."
Aston Martin had high hopes for the Hungarian Grand Prix due to the AMR23 car's suitability to the circuit, echoing its performance in Monaco. Unfortunately, the race didn't meet their expectations, with Lance Stroll finishing 10th and Alonso 9th.
The Belgian Grand Prix saw a resurgence in their performance, reigniting some optimism for the team. However, Krack highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the timeframe to address and rectify their issues. He mentioned:
"I think it would be a couple of races.
"Between identifying and then trying to put the right steps in place, producing the parts in the right quantities. It will be a couple of weeks, it will not be straightforward."
As the season progresses, Krack remained cautious about the Monza Grand Prix, stating:
"Monza is a bit special. I think in Monza you shouldn't try to make too many experiments."
He emphasised a step-by-step approach to their challenges but admitted:
"We will have something for all the races and try to address it step-by-step. But I cannot really say when it is fixed."