Aston Martin could build their own power unit when Formula 1 makes the next significant change to its engine regulations.
The team sources power units and other parts including its gearbox from Mercedes. However, with the FIA planning a change of engine format in 2026, Aston Martin technical director Andrew Green admitted the possibility of producing their own power units was of interest to the team.“I think going forward with our ambitions I think we’re definitely investigating power unit supply in the long-term,” he said. “2026 is mooted as a new power unit regulation and I think as a team we’d love to be involved.”
The team has signed petrochemicals firm Aramco as a new joint title sponsor for 2022. Green indicated they could assist the team in developing its own engine.
“We have Aramco now involved as a sponsor and I think conversations going forward in the next years, we’ll see,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll be looking at it in great detail and understanding whether there’s a benefit to us moving in that direction.”
Rivals Red Bull are building their own power unit facility in nearby Milton Keynes where it will take over the production and maintenance of its Honda-designed engines and hybrid systems. It also plans to develop its own power unit for F1’s new regulations.
The current V6 hybrid turbo power units were introduced in 2014. The manufacturers’ designs will be frozen this year following changes made to allow a move to E10 petrol, which is made up of 10% ethanol.
Green described this as a modest alteration compared to the drastic changes in the chassis regulations for the 2022 season.
“The power unit has minimal changes really from ’21,” he said. “It’s probably the single area of the car that’s had the least amount of change from ’21 to ’22.
“We’re still sort of in a homologated region of power unit. The power unit has been developed to take E10 fuel for 2022 so it had to be recalibrated and the fuels re-blended.
“But that’s not a significant alteration. It’s common power unit amongst all the [Mercedes] teams, they’re still only producing one power unit for everybody. So I don’t think that was a big issue for them.”
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Mark (@blueruck)
10th February 2022, 18:33
Highly doubt there is much effort put into thinking about their own engine. Red Bull in the era of no budget caps couldn’t make the numbers work to start from scratch. IMHO, this is a signal to VW that AM would be interested in building an engine together.
NinjaBadger (@ninjabadger)
10th February 2022, 20:25
Probably makes sense as a company-wide big picture. Since AM is also an AMG customer for its road car engines (and cosworth providing for their hypercars)
So if they were to invest in a new R&D facility for its cars, may as well look into also internally designing their own F1 power units.
JohnH (@johnrkh)
10th February 2022, 22:09
Makes more sense than the RedBull bull, I never believed Redbull would go through with its own PU option for a couple of reasons.
If AM/Stroll do decide to do it, at least they have a way to recoup some of the development costs via their road car division. Also, Stroll is no fool, he would be in possession of signed agreements to supply PUs or parts to other manufacturers before he opened his wallet.
NS Biker (@rekibsn)
10th February 2022, 22:58
Agreed.
It is one thing to “investigate” but an entirely different situation to “open up the wallet” and start spending and doing real work.
Will be interesting to see if it is a fishing exercise, a teaser for VW or Mercedes or is it entirely out of self interest.?
MacLeod (@macleod)
11th February 2022, 7:51
Red Bull had to do it as they didn’t had any other option anymore and if you want to race on the top you have to spend.
But i always thought McLaren would build it own engine but found it strange such big company never did.
From AM point it’s a smart move as they want their own engines for their road car division. But i am not sure of Stroll choice that reason.
TurboBT
11th February 2022, 13:15
I think mercedes is going to quit F1 until 2026 and just be engine supplier to AMR from that point. If McLaren get VW/Audi then mercedes will definitely remain with AMR, probably, Toto joining forces with Stroll.
Merc will just need to show their dominance this time as well and then quit with their head high.
Le Jimster (@lejimster82)
11th February 2022, 15:28
Not anymore. Honda will continue building and maintaining the engines through 2025. Which leaves Red Bull to solely focus on building their own engine. I would love to see them build their own, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they collaborated with Audi or another big manufacturer.
Aapje (@aapje)
12th February 2022, 12:02
@lejimster82
I fully expect a deal with a new manufacturer for 2025. I think that this was already the plan in the past, but Dieselgate messed up their plans, requiring them to go with Honda.
Dale
12th February 2022, 22:30
“Rivals Red Bull are building their own power unit facility in nearby Milton Keynes where it will take over the production and maintenance of its Honda-designed engines and hybrid systems.”
Seriously Keith?
When you’re in the business of F1 news, but miss the news that Honda will continue to build and maintain the PU’s from Japan instead …
Dan G (@dang)
14th February 2022, 9:14
I didn’t know this! Thanks for the info.