Before the team takes to the track Down Under, Team Principal Mike Krack reflects on our start to the 2024 Formula One season and looks ahead to this weekend's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

What are your thoughts on our start to the 2024 season?

"We've had a solid start to the season, scoring points in both races.

"Some people will compare our results in the first two races to those from last year, when we delivered podiums, but you have to remember some of our competitors were not at the top of their game in the early part of 2023 and we took advantage of this.

"By the end of last season, we were around fifth fastest, which was a more accurate reflection of the pecking order and after pre-season testing that's where we expected to be at the start of this season. We're fifth fastest in race trim and a little faster in Qualifying.

"In Bahrain, we achieved the maximum result given the pace of the car. In Saudi Arabia, we overachieved a little with Fernando's fantastic drive to secure a top-five finish.

"13 points is a good return from the first two rounds, we have plenty of updates in the pipeline, and everyone is working well both at the track and at the AMR Technology Campus."

What has the team learnt about AMR24 in the opening rounds?

"The first two rounds of the season have confirmed we've made a step forward from last year.

"For example, in Bahrain Qualifying, we were seven-tenths faster than the year before and in Jeddah Qualifying, we were nine-tenths faster than last year.

"We're constantly learning about AMR24. It's a quick car, particularly in Qualifying trim, and over the last few weeks we've been trying to improve the balance so that Lance and Fernando can get even more performance out of it.

"Our goal is to close the gap to the front; we are making progress, and we have some small updates for Melbourne, which are part of our continuous development plan throughout the season."

Pirelli is bringing its softest tyre compounds to this year's Australian Grand Prix – a step softer than last year. How much of an impact will that have this weekend?

"Typically, the Australian Grand Prix race has been a one-stop race but Pirelli has brought softer tyres to try to move strategies towards a two-stopper.

"Simulations suggest that a one-stop is likely to remain the optimum strategy, but we've seen how unpredictable the Australian Grand Prix has been over the years. There's a high chance of a Safety Car, and you need to be ready to react and adapt your strategy accordingly."

Melbourne is 11 hours ahead of the UK. How do you adjust to the time zone difference and how excited are you to return to Melbourne?

"Most of us in the team are used to the travel by now and know the steps we need to take to prepare, such as hydrating regularly and getting ahead with sleep.

"Although it's a long way from home, Melbourne is always one of the highlights of the season. There's a fantastic buzz whenever F1 is town; the support from the fans is fantastic and it gives you extra energy.

"From Thursday morning right through to Sunday, there's so much track action. The schedule is packed. There's F1, F2, Supercars and more.

"Aston Martin Aramco young driver Jak Crawford will be on the track again in F2 this weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing him build on his strong start to the campaign."

What are the team's targets in Melbourne this weekend?

"The aim is to pick up where we left off in Jeddah. Qualifying will be important here, in addition to managing the tyres well.

"Albert Park Circuit is closer to Jeddah than Bahrain in terms of characteristics but that's not to say we'll finish fifth again – Fernando produced a mega performance to achieve that result in Saudi Arabia.

"We need to keep our feet on the ground and stay focused. We want to finish with both cars in the points."