Our home race, the value of a good chat, the European summer of sport in full swing. There's plenty to attract Team Principal Mike Krack's attention this week.
More than half the grid is marking their home Grand Prix this week, but for Aston Marin Aramco, this really is our home race. We're surrounded by campsites and watching thousands – tens of thousands – of fans pouring into Silverstone Circuit. It's a huge event to have on the doorstep and Team Principal Mike Krack discusses both that and our home race preparations, as well as our performance last time out in Austria and how competitive this season has become.
This is Mike on...
The world of sports
"There's lots and lots of sport going on across Europe now we're enjoying the height of summer. After a day at the track there's the Euros to watch – and I like to see the highlights of the Tour de France too. Fortunately, tennis and cricket aren't really my thing, else I'd never get any sleep! As it is, I'm hoping the football doesn't go to extra time.
"I mention this because Formula One is doing a great job against really quite stern competition for people's attention. The gaps are tiny right now – the field is so closely matched – and anyone who makes a small error or has a tiny glitch is pushed to the back. For fans, I imagine there is nothing better."
Retaining perspective
"There was a great crowd in Austria last weekend, and a really good event with the sun shining. I thought the changes that have been made to the Red Bull Ring are very smart. The FIA has worked hard to come up with solutions and compromises that will prevent hundreds of track limits infringements. Of course, we still had some, but the numbers were way down.
"It's a shame we weren't in a position to score points in Austria, but we have to maintain a degree of perspective. You can come home with a poor result, maybe no points, but you've not been miles off the pace. We weren't miles off in Austria – but we were too far away to score in either the Sprint or the Grand Prix."
Remaining hyper-focused
"It's tough – but at the end of the day, we have to be honest with ourselves. We have not done a good enough job in developing the car. The updates have not delivered what they are supposed to. Suzuka was a small step in the right direction, but from Imola onwards, it started to become difficult. We know the steps we need to take, but bringing updates to the car takes time. We're working night and day at the AMR Technology Campus to develop the car and improve its performance.
"Silverstone will be another challenge for the team. It's unlikely to play to the strengths of the AMR24, but we remain hyper-focused and ready to capitalise on any opportunities – the closing laps of the Austrian Grand Prix were a reminder that anything can happen. On the performance side, we need to do better, but operationally we're executing very well. We're on the right path."
Our home race
"We perhaps get a better perspective of what a home race really is, being based in Silverstone. The first camper vans started rolling in past the AMR Technology Campus on Tuesday. You can see what a huge event this is, just looking out of the windows here at the Technology Campus. Close to half a million fans are going to pour into the track over the four days and that's just fantastic to witness.
"And you can really feel the buzz. There's so much energy, so much going on, on the streets, in the campsites outside, and at our Technology Campus where we've opened the doors to fans, media, partners and the local community. Everything is leading to a great spectacle. It's really nice to play a small part in that.
"At some races, fans want selfies and autographs, and that's fine, at others, they want a chat. The British Grand Prix is definitely a race where fans want to talk about racing, and I think that's pretty cool. Sometimes, fans are a little surprised when you want to hang around and do the same, but ultimately, we're all fans. It doesn't really matter if you're here to watch or here to work, it's the love of the sport that draws you in.
"And at Silverstone Circuit, the cars really do provide such an amazing spectacle. The circuit is so fast and it shows off these machines at their best. The drivers love it just as much as us fans."
Taking F1 beyond the track
"It's a busy week for the team at the circuit, but it's also very busy for the team beyond it. The AMR Technology Campus is always full of bright and inquisitive minds, but even more so this week: we've welcomed hundreds of local school and university students into our home to participate in STEM workshops and careers sessions. F1 in Schools has also joined us on-site, with students racing their cars down the main boulevard of Building One, and we hosted a graduation ceremony for students who have completed our leadership programme together with our partner The Aleto Foundation.
"We've also taken to the streets of Britain to bring the sport closer to fans. We're celebrating our home race and we want you, our fans, to be part of it. Our Aston Martin Aramco F1 car has been on tour, visiting a host of cities and locations, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and into North Wales. It's touring with an Aston Martin DBX707 and it's quite a sight – and experience! You can get up close to the cars but also a replica AMR24 steering wheel, Fernando's helmet, our Canadian Grand Prix podium trophy from 2023, and more.
"Whether you're supporting us from the stands, joining us on our tour of the country or rooting for us from home, we have all the ingredients to put on a fantastic show for you this weekend and we'll be doing everything we can to give you something to cheer about at our home race."
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