Vettel ‘s contract with Aston Martin runs out this year and, when asked about his future at Imola on Friday, the four-time world champion said he had not yet made a decision but acknowledged he cannot wait too long to tell the team his intentions.
He also made it clear that his decision will be influenced by how much progress the team makes on its issues in 2022, noting that “it will obviously depend on how this year goes, and how it goes from there.”
Krack for his part understands that Vettel wants to see the team move up the grid before committing to a longer term.
“I’m not going to talk about contracts here, but obviously if you have a driver like Sebastian Vettel, who keeps you motivated to give him the car he deserves for the quality of his driving, I think it would be silly not to try to retain him,” he said.
“But I understand 100% his comments. He wants to see progress, he wants to see the car move forward, because he is not a driver who wants to fight to be 18th or 16th or whatever, so I fully understand his comments and it is up to us to give him the tool you need to perform.
(See the photos of Sebastian Vettel in Imola before continuing)
Photo by: Erik Junius
Photo by: Erik Junius
Photo by: Erik Junius
Photo by: Erik Junius
Photo by: Erik Junius
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images
Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Photo de: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Erik Junius
Photo by: Erik Junius
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Krack, who worked with Vettel in his first spell in Formula 1 with BMW Sauber, said he was impressed with the German’s commitment.
“He has a very, very competitive approach, despite the great success he has already had. He has a very high work ethic that I share and appreciate very much.”
“There’s not a time of day when it feels too late for him to work or to contribute something, so from that point of view, he’s a joy to work with, because he has an incredible work ethic.”
“But he’s also a good guy, and he understands where our limitations are right now, but he doesn’t stop pushing and he’s realistic about what we do.”
“So it’s about trying to merge what we think we need to do, what he thinks we need to do and being open, transparent, having good conversations and moving forward.”
After dropping from ninth on the grid to 13th in the sprint race, Vettel admitted it was impossible to keep the faster cars he now has behind. Then, in the race he shone to finish eighth after having even been sixth. However, he declared that it is a result that feels like a victory with the car he is driving.
“Especially in the race on Saturday we were eaten up by the faster cars coming from behind,” he said. “We have limitations and we know them.”
As for the current form of the team, he added: “It’s been a tough time. I think understanding where we are, having limitations, being so far away from where we should be with the car, not being able to race where we want on the grid… .but we are not the only ones.”
“As I said, I think we understand it now, and we have a direction, but obviously it takes time to translate it into the car,” he concluded.
