Krack admits Aston Martin’s sensational form in Hungary might have been “circumstantial”

The Silverstone-based squad sprang a surprise at the Hungaroring, with Alonso taking fifth place, followed closely by team-mate Lance Stroll, finishing seventh.

Having missed the opening practice at the Hungarian Grand Prix due to back injuries, Fernando Alonso elected to take part in the remainder of the Budapest weekend despite his health issues.

The Spaniard delivered a sensational performance in qualifying to secure fifth place on the grid, having set a time that was just over a tenth slower than what pole-sitter Charles Leclerc managed.

The two-time world champion then had a great start and picked off the McLaren of Lando Norris. While he didn’t fight the McLaren man too hard when Norris flew back past after a few laps, the Spaniard concentrated on his own race. He deliberately held back his performance in the opening stages of the 70-lap race in a bid to save his tyres.

When he felt the need, Alonso unleashed his car’s pace, and escaped from the Gabriel Bortoleto-led pack that he held up for the opening stages of the race. The Spaniard nursed his tyres perfectly, and executed a one-stop strategy to secure his best finish of the season with a fifth place.

His team-mate Lance Stroll also looked very competitive on Saturday, claiming sixth place on the grid. The Canadian lost a position to Bortoleto off the line, and was not able to recover it, but his seventh-place finish was still a great achievement.

Reflecting on the Silverstone-based outfit’s performance at the heavily-revamped Hungaroring, Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack stated: “Fifth and seventh place in Budapest is a good way to wrap up the first half of the year.

“Fernando and Lance have been excellent all weekend and converted our strong qualifying result into important points,” he continued.

“They both made the one-stop strategy work and did a great job of managing the Medium tyres during the long first stint. It has been our most competitive weekend this season so well done to the entire team for the great preparation and execution.

Pushed on to reveal how the British squad achieved its upturn in form, Krack struggled to offer a clear answer, suggesting that the results might have been “circumstantial.”

“You cannot jump, normally, from the back of the midfield to the front of the midfield within seven days, We need to be realistic. We had very difficult races before, not only Spa.

“It does not mean that we have managed a complete turnaround. I think it’s probably also a bit circumstantial. The fight in the midfield will continue, I’m sure.”

“It is always nice to start the summer break off the back of a good result and these 16 points will give everybody in the team a boost. We will take a few weeks’ holiday and come back ready to build on this result in the races to come.”

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