Aston Martin Team Principal Mick Krack has revealed one of the drivers that the team are looking at to replace Sebastian Vettel for 2023. Vettel announced earlier this week that he would be retiring from Formula 1 at the end of the 2022 season, fuelling speculation as to who Aston Martin may choose to replace him with. Asked on Saturday whether the team had any candidates in mind to fill Vettel's shoes, Krack was initially reluctant to discuss specific names. "It's clear that speculation is now starting, so I think this weekend, we should really keep [Vettel] in focus and not speculate about names," Krack told media including RacingNews365.com . "We will take care of that from Monday onwards, and then when we have someone, we will announce it."
De Vries under consideration
Pressed on whether reigning Formula E World Champion Nyck de Vries is under consideration, Krack acknowledged that the Dutchman was on Aston Martin's 2023 list. De Vries has never raced in F1, but has taken part in two F1 practice sessions so far in 2022 for Williams and Mercedes. "Nyck is one of many, many drivers," said Krack. "I know him through the Formula E times. He is a nice chap. "He drove the Williams, he drove the Mercedes, so he's one of the drivers we're looking at, but just as [we are looking at] others as well."
Krack reflects on Vettel's career
Krack also paid tribute to Vettel, with whom he had first worked in 2006, when the German made his first appearances in F1 with the BMW Sauber team. "I was fortunate to be around when he started his career, when he was very young, and now also when he finishes his career," added Krack. "So there is the racing driver where, I think if I'm fair, his biggest success is in other teams. "I knew him only at the beginning, and now, as a man, obviously this is a bit different. "Firstly, there was the youth at the time, the excitement of being in Formula 1 and being there, and now it is a very reflective personality with a lot of thoughts that are not so common in our sport."
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