Mike Krack has defended Aston Martin's driver development program, despite criticisms of its limited success in promoting drivers to Formula 1.
The team, owned by Lawrence Stroll, has made major strides in other areas, such as securing Adrian Newey for 2025. However, its junior driver program, featuring Felipe Drugovich, has yet to produce an F1 race driver.
"We want to do it right," said Krack when asked about the program's effectiveness. "With Felipe, we are doing a very good program." Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion, is Aston Martin's reserve driver, but with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll locked in for the race seats, there is no immediate opportunity for him.
Krack pointed out that Drugovich will be in action in Alonso's car during the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. "At the moment, we have a situation in which some drivers are being promoted from some academies, which has not been the case in the last few years," Krack said.
The team boss acknowledged the limited number of available seats in Formula 1. "Unfortunately, in Formula 1 you have the situation that there are only 20 places, and there are plenty of top drivers who stay a long time," he explained. "As a team, we are aware of this and that's why we have not overfilled our junior programs. We have tried to keep them as lean as possible to not cause these types of situations."
Despite the challenges, Krack believes Aston Martin's lean approach ensures drivers like Drugovich are well-prepared. "He is well prepared. If you accumulate a lot of drivers, you can't do that. That's why we're taking a conservative approach," he explained.
Krack also commented on the wider responsibility in Formula 1 to provide opportunities for new talent. "As a sport, we have a responsibility to create such opportunities for young drivers," he said, adding, "It's good to see that new drivers are coming along now. And that should be the goal."
