“Lawrence’s Goals Are Never..”: Weeks After Ditching Mercedes, Stroll & Aston Martin’s True F1 Intentions Unveiled by Toto Wolff

Over time, Lawrence Stroll has upgraded his status from another billionaire team owner to a force to be reckoned with. The Canadian carefully and meticulously planned his investment with a long-term goal in mind. The current state of Aston Martin is the result of this careful planning. However, fighting for podiums isn’t the end goal. Stroll wants to build on this and wants to take his team one step further toward the ultimate goal, the championship. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff explains this is what drove Aston Martin to make the recent changes.

As we are all aware, Aston Martin will stop purchasing their engines from Mercedes from the start of the 2026 season. The British outfit is putting its faith into Japanese manufactures Honda in a surprise twist. This partnership with Honda caught everyone by surprise, including Max Verstappen. Weeks after the announcement, while speaking to Motorsport, Wolff explained this decision from Aston Martin as quoted by SoyMotor.

“I don’t think changing a customer situation from Mercedes to Honda has anything to do with the power unit,” Wolff said. “I think we are in terms of a power unit, but they always wanted to emancipate themselves and become a real work team, that’s what they are doing.”

“Lawrence’s goals are never small. When you want to be competitive and win championships, that’s the kind of steps you have to take,” he added.

Read More: Aston Martin Star Backed to Defy the Odds Like a Veteran 3X Champ With Honda’s Return

The decision was purely professional and is another step in the championship direction Aston Martin already is on. We are not sure how fruitful Aston Martin’s partnership with Honda will turn out to be. However, it’s a statement of intent from the British team and a big blow for the German auto manufacturers.

Although, how far-reaching are the consequences of this contract termination?

Toto Wolff explains how Mercedes and Aston Martin will still remain partners in the future

It is sometimes difficult to associate the real world with F1, however, the two worlds do coexist. An example of the same stems from the Aston Martin and Mercedes relationship as well. Aston Martin is a customer of Mercedes in the real world as well for their end consumer cars as well and not just in F1. So if you ask what will be the implications of the Honda partnership, the answer is simple: Not many.

Toto Wolff has explained, despite the F1 separation, Aston Martin will remain a customer of Mercedes. “In relation to street cars, that is a different platform,” he said. “That is a commercial relationship. It will continue because, obviously, it has long delivery times that will continue over time. Aston Martin is a brand to be proud of and that is why Mercedes will continue to be a partner.”

WATCH THIS STORY: How is Aston Martin Allying with Honda for its F1 Title Challenge from 2026?

We often forget Lawrence Stroll is not just the CEO of the Aston Martin F1 racing team and the same goes for Toto Wolff. So sometimes, an obvious clarification like the one Wolff gave becomes necessary.