F1 | Aston Martin will "carefully investigate" the strategy of developing its own power unit
During Team Principal, Mike Krack’s, first virtual media session, the man now in charge of leading Aston Martin to the front of the grid, discussed the prospect of the motor industry power-house making their own power unit in future.
Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team are in a self-confessed five-year plan. During Team Principal, Mike Krack’s, first virtual media session, the man now in charge of leading Aston Martin to the front of the grid, discussed the prospect of the motor industry power-house making their own power unit in future.
In comments shared to the media, of which MotorLAT was in attendance, Mike Krack demonstrated a clear understanding of the task ahead but also the fact that he would wait to see areas in action as opposed to making wholesale changes from the start
“I think it would be foolish to come here on the first day and try to turn upside down every stone and rearrange,” Krack said. “The team has a good record, it needs a couple of things to make the next steps, but it is not by turning everything upside down that we will manage it.
“I [will] take a conservative approach here, try to learn as much as possible, try to bring my philosophy into it, try to bring my thinking into it, which is always positive teamwork – because motivation comes by itself – although the people here are extremely motivated, you can believe me. It’s a matter of channelling this properly.”
Red Bull Racing have already started to develop their own engine following the departure of Honda from the pinnacle of motorsport which led to the establishment of their powertrain company. Even though Red Bull will continue to run Honda-made engines this season, their own operation is already online and working on the 2026 unit. With all the resources at Mike Krack’s disposal, the mild-mannered and humble leader of Aston Martin is clear where the future lies ahead of the 2026 regulations.
According to Krack, Aston Martin should be exploring the prospect of developing its own power unit.
“We are happy with the engine partner we have,” Krack said. “So, we have a new set of regulations coming for 2026, with more emphasis obviously on electric power than today. I think it’s normal for a brand like Aston Martin that, if there is new power unit regulations that you look into that, that you carefully investigate if that is strategically the right thing.”
F1 has always faced its critics in a changing world despite targets of sustainability and hybrid engines. Mike Krack was heavily involved with BMW in Formula E before being head hunted to join Aston Martin. However, Krack realises that there are only so many similarities between these categories of motorsport.
“And then obviously I think it’s the right steps that F1 is taking to have a higher hybrid bias, let’s say, over electric power. Yes I’ve been involved in BMW in Formula E, now with Hypercar it was hybrid – similar, but not the same, to F1 – and now we are in 2022 and the timelines are reasonable to introduce them in 2026, because we know other competitors are also evaluating to make an entry. Krack told the media. “I think from a timeline it is reasonable to, if you take this decision, to be on the grid in 2026 with your own [PU]. It is the right moment to look into it now.”
This is not the first time that the idea has been mooted for Aston Martin to make their own power unit in house.
Andy Green, chief technical officer for Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One, remarked at the unveiling of the team’s 2022 challenger “I think going forward with our ambitions, we’re definitely investigating our power unit supply in the long-term,” Green said. “2026 is mooted as a new power unit regulation and I think, as a team, we’d love to be involved.
“We have Aramco now involved as a sponsor and I think conversations going forward in the next few years… we’ll see. For sure we’ll be looking at it in great detail and understanding whether there is a benefit to it in that direction.” Green concluded.
As much as Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team may speak of 5-year plans, the fact remains that in Formula One change happens fast.
"You've probably seen what's happening in Silverstone," Krack remarked. "We are on a five-year plan, and the infrastructure change here is tremendous. Ours is the first F1 headquarters built in nearly two decades, which clearly shows the ambition Lawrence and the team has. The five-year plan has all the facilities needed to be successful by then, we're progressing on our journey."
"Five-year plans do not always lead to success, there can only be one winner after all," Krack stated in his first media session since being promoted to the Aston Martin ranks. "But we have a flexible, lean management structure with lots of experience, so we can make decisions very quickly. That is an asset that not every team has.”
With so many unknowns over how the other teams on the grid will perform in 2022 - after its regulation overhaul – it remains to be seen where Aston Martin will fall in the pecking order. However, there is no doubt over the expectation of where the team is expected to finish sooner rather than later.
