F1 News
Why Aston Martin chose Lance Stroll over Sainz and Ocon
- Ludo van Denderen
It was not a huge surprise by any means. That Lance Stroll would renew his contract at Aston Martin - partly given that the Canadian is the son of the (co-)owner - had been in the air for quite some time. Even with Grand Prix winners like Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz and, until recently, Pierre Gasly available.
Mike Krack, however, is clear: For him, a longer collaboration with Stroll junior was option number one. "You should not get pressurised yourself by the driver market," says the team boss. "I think you need to formulate what you want, which we were quite clear about and we pursued these targets. So, of course, you always look at what is there and what is available. I think plans B and plan C, obviously, everybody's having, but if you can manage to make your plan A happen, then you should do that."
Underlying Stroll's contract extension, according to Krack, is that the team wanted continuity and stability. "I think it's very important for a team, especially heading into a new regulation set. And we're quite happy that we have quite a mature line-up on the track."
Cooperation between Stroll and Alonso praised by Krack
Krack also praised the way Stroll and Fernando Alonso work together. "We know who our main opponents are and they are certainly not the other green car. So that is something that we have seen over the past years. They work very well together, pushing in the same direction. So we always wanted to do it like that. And obviously at this stage and throughout the season, I think the drivers was not our main problem. So we are quite happy that we have done this now and get some more calm into this situation."