Aston Martin F1: The Story Behind the Partnership with Honda and Parting Ways with Mercedes

2023-06-11 12:27:00

The announcement of the new partnership between Aston Martin F1 and Honda from 2026 puts an end to a long lease for the supply of engines by Mercedes to the Silverstone team, but everything is explained…

The British manufacturer’s GTs have also had Mercedes engines for many years, to the point that the star firm is a minority shareholder in Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.

Seeing Aston Martin-Mercedes in Formula 1 is therefore a matter of strategic and economic logic, yet the green single-seaters will be powered by Honda from the 2026 season.

The surprise agreement between Ford and Red Bull Powertrains prevents the Japanese manufacturer from continuing its cooperation with the world champion team, so officials have sought another partner.

Lawrence Stroll rushed into the breach and did not hesitate to conclude with Honda by ending an association with Mercedes in F1 which dates back to 2009, when the Silverstone team was still called Force India.

“It has nothing to do with the quality of our engines, believes Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes, himself a small shareholder of Aston Martin because of his privileged relationship with Stroll. Aston Martin wants to become a real factory team and therefore have an exclusive supply of engines. »

“Lawrence thinks big and I can’t blame him, he smiled. It is building a new factory and has a major sponsorship with the oil company Aramco: it therefore has the means of its policy to become a top team. »

Other Mercedes customers have yet to confirm the continuation of their supply deal, with McLaren rumored to be linking up with RBPT (Red Bull Powertrains) while Williams is still in the restructuring phase.

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