Reports: Stroll Open to Audi-Porsche Partnership to Build Aston Martin’s F1 Engines In-House

The latest stride that Aston Martin is looking to make in Formula 1 is to become their own engine manufacturer. Yes, this sounds like an enormous task despite engines becoming simpler in the future. But one shouldn’t rule this possibility out, considering team owner Lawrence Stroll and his ambitions, which are already beginning to take shape, one by one.

As reported by Auto Motor Und Sport, there is an air of possibility in the paddock which suggests Stroll has intentions to be self-reliant for engines. Currently, there are only four engine manufacturers in Formula 1 – Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault, and Honda.

Aston Martin is one of Mercedes’ long-time engine customers. But Stroll’s vision for the future of his team doesn’t include the Silver Arrows. And it could include another German team instead, Volkswagen.

The entry of Volkswagen as an engine manufacturer might prove to be a boon for Aston Martin for their ambitions of an engine program. To put it simply, Aston Martin could partner up with either Audi or Porsche to develop an engine.

Lawrence Stroll is taking Aston Martin among the big guns

Over the last five months, Aston Martin has announced a flurry of plans and signings.

In no chronological order, Aston Martin has signed the chief aerodynamicist from Mercedes AMG, Eric Blandin. They’ve also signed Red Bull’s head of aerodynamics, Dan Fallows, along with the ex-McLaren boss, Martin Whitmarsh.

Then there’s the wind tunnel and a state-of-the-art simulator which will be part of the new integrated campus of Aston Martin. Despite all of this, developing an engine is quite a task.

Yes, it takes a lot of money, considering an engine is the single most expensive aspect of an F1 car. But it’s also the R&D of engine development that requires years and years of preparation.

Although Stroll and his team will know and be prepared to take this challenge head-on, it is definitely a daunting task.

For now, neither is Volkswagen’s entry official yet nor is Aston Martin’s desire to become an engine manufacturer more than just speculation.

But knowing Lawrence Stroll, you wouldn’t rule Aston Martin out in not only pursuing but possibly becoming self-dependent for an engine.

Also Read:  Lawrence Stroll Explains Why Winning the F1 Title Is Not Aston Martin’s Primary Ambition