Aston Martin air fear-mongering concern over 'uncomfortable' F1 situation

Mike Krack has called out the media for "generating a lot of distraction and a lot of fear unnecessarily" over the uncertain situation in the Middle East as F1 faces the crucial decision whether to race in the region this year.

Formula 1 is scheduled to end the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in late November and early December, but the instability caused by the United States-Iran war means there could still be a last-minute change of plans. 

Ahead of this weekend's São Paulo Grand Prix, Krack was asked how complicated the unresolved situation makes planning for the end of the campaign — with F1's likely contingency plan to head to Imola in place of the two Middle Eastern rounds — and whether staff at Aston Martin are happy to work in the war-torn region.

"So I would say logistics and parts are not really a big deal. You just plan quantities, and then it's about getting them [team personnel] there," the Aston Martin chief trackside engineering officer told media, including RacingNews365.

"I think the staff is a valid question and a good question, because everybody reads the news, everybody reads the internet, and some news is correct, some is less serious

"Unfortunately, these days you get the clicks when you bring the shocking news or the threatening news."

Krack conceded that the team could not give its employees complete guarantees given the fluid and dynamic situation.

"But there are questions raised inside the team because there are families that are asking questions, so it's a difficult subject, and the more reassurance we can give, the better it is. But you cannot always do that," he added.

"You cannot always give 100 per cent reassurance because also often we don't know ourselves what's going to happen."

[Article continues below]

F1 defended over looming decision

Krack voiced his support for F1 and the FIA to make the correct decisions when weighed up against the associated risks, maintaining that the championship and its governing body have "better information" than the team.

"Now I discussed it in length with Andy [Stevenson] this morning, and we are really convinced that F1 is not going to take any unnecessary risks," he said.

"They are aware of the situation. They have much better information than we have, and I think if there is a serious risk, I think they will take the correct action.

"I think at the moment they are still evaluating that situation, and I'm sure they have set themselves some deadlines, which we're not over yet. So I think we need to give them the time to do that. But I would be really surprised if they take risks."

There has been a fresh wave of concern in recent weeks that the United States' mid-term elections may prompt Donald Trump to instigate new attacks on Iran, which in turn could provoke retaliation.

However, the results of those elections have likely reduced the chance of any impending military action, with the Democrats reclaiming control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

With the United States-Iran War and the associated effects a significant factor in heavy Republican defeats across the nation, Trump is perhaps less willing to further inflame the situation.

Nonetheless, the Iranian state has released a list of "zero-hour targets" that it would seek to strike in such an eventuality, many of which are hotels used by F1 and other forms of motorsport when visiting Qatar.

MotoGP races at the Lusail International Circuit this weekend, and Formula 1 will no doubt be watching with bated breath.

Krack argued that much of the coverage on the matter is "not helping" the broader situation or how those working in Formula 1 feel about visiting the region, which has already seen the Bahrain Grand Prix relocated to Malaysia and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix cancelled altogether.

"People read these things and the first thing you do, you check, is my hotel in that list? But it doesn't really matter, does it, because you can change at any time," he said.

"But this is the kind of news that is not helping at the moment, and it is generating a lot of distraction and a lot of fear unnecessarily. But as I said, I think F1 is aware of it; everyone is also reading these things, so I think they take the right steps.

"It's always these situations where you know you are a bit left in the unknown, which makes people very uncomfortable. And it's the same for everyone. It's the same for me as well; you don't know what's going to happen."