Aston Martin Unlikely To Build F1 Engines Under New Regulations

The chances of Aston Martin becoming a Formula One engine supplier have taken a hit after the most recent regulation talks.

The initial intention was introducing a series of cost-cutting measures starting in 2021, which proved appealing to the British sports car maker.

However, Aston Martin chief executive Andy Palmer said the finalized regulations won’t see costs being decreased enough to encourage the brand to supply engines.

“It doesn’t look like the new regulations will be of interest, sadly.

“Aston was interested on the basis that costs would be controlled and that the formula would be one part of an equation that would put control back into the hands of the driver.

“I don’t see the costs coming down far enough with the regulations I’ve heard discussed and I do see that the opportunity to spend a fortune chasing down a tenth of a second a lap will remain,” Palmer told Autocar.

Looks like Aston Martin Red Bull Racing will be sticking with Honda engines for some time.

According to Palmer, an arms race undermines the sport, and a spending war is simply something Aston Martin can’t afford to be involved with.

For some time it was thought that Red Bull Racing could use Aston Martin engines if the marque did indeed pursue an F1 engine program.

The 2021 regulations will retain the existing turbocharged 1.6-liter V6 formula, but simplify the energy storage systems. Aston Martin had been using former Ferrari engine chief Luca Marmorini as a consultant on a potential engine project that, right now, looks like it’s dead.

Renderings via Sean Bull