Aston Martin boss Mike Krack has insisted the team did assess the other possible names on the Formula 1 driver market before deciding upon renewing Lance Stroll.
The Silverstone-based squad announced earlier this month that Stroll has signed a new multi-year extension to remain alongside current team-mate Fernando Alonso.
Alonso’s choice to extend his protracted career in F1 will ensure Aston Martin enters the series’ upcoming regulation change in 2026 with an unchanged driver line-up.
Aston Martin’s impending tie-up with Honda has prompted speculation Yuki Tsunoda, who will remain with RB in 2025, could be in line to make a switch down the line.
But while he’s admitted that Aston Martin would have been wrong to not at least review external options, Krack has expressed that retaining Stroll was the preference.
When asked how much Aston Martin contemplated making a change, Krack responded: “I think you should not get pressurised yourself by the driver market.
“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.”
Stroll’s status as the son of Aston Martin Executive Officer Lawrence Stroll has called into question whether the Canadian continues to preserve his position on merit.
The ex-Williams driver has not outscored a team-mate since his arrival at the team in 2019 and he sustained a comprehensive 132-point defeat to Alonso last season.
However, Alonso has been adamant Stroll has the potential to lead Aston Martin once he retires and hailed the dynamic between the pair as the best he has had in F1.
Krack has explained how that harmonious relationship between the team’s incumbent drivers was instrumental in the British marque’s decision to not make a change.
“I think for many weeks I said we want continuity, stability and continuity,” he added. “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. 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.”
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