Mercedes Powertrains has been a Formula One engine supplier since 1954. The company has supplied power units for several teams including Sauber, McLaren Williams, Lotus F1 and Aston Martin. They have always produced top-tier powertrains that are known for their reliability and straight-line speed.
Aston Martin is part of a long-term agreement with Mercedes. The team has been powered by German manufacturers ever since it was named Force India in 2009. The team never considered pulling out of the contract and is satisfied with its supply. The team’s rise in the midfield is testament to their success, making this contract essential. Motorsports. Espanol reports Aston Martin contemplates an agreement with Honda to be an engine supplier. The new regulations could bring about a deal in 2026.
Honda was the surprise name announced by the FIA on February 3, rd, 2023. Honda has faced a number of challenges in the development of its powertrains, since the advent of the turbo-hybrid era. Between 2015 and 2017 they partnered with McLaren, but the relationship did not yield the results that were desired. The engine was unreliable and underpowered. In 2019, they returned to Red Bull as a partner. They were unproven but showed good potential. Red Bull won the 2021 championship with Honda’s power unit, becoming the first team of this era to defeat Mercedes. From 2026, they plan to supply under the name HRC-Honda Racing Corporation.
Aston Martin is taking a risk by switching to Honda
Aston Martin is a rising star in the motorsports world and has had Mercedes powertrains supporting them for more than ten years. is a new era that will begin in 2026. is evaluating its options, and the team is looking into a possible deal with HRC. Honda’s leadership also appears to be urging the team to agree on this deal. It is important for the team to compete in world championships, so continuing to receive supplies from a team that they consider to be their direct competitors can be a hindrance.
It is impossible to understate the importance of Mercedes engines in the growth and development of Aston Martin. They must still prioritize their ambitions of being a leader, by establishing their own independence. Now, the team is ready to take the first step towards achieving their goal.
The risks of this agreement are not insignificant, despite its importance on the long-term. This includes building their own wind-tunnel and having to manufacture their gearbox independently, which Mercedes currently supplies as an addition to the power unit. The team will have to focus more on reliability and development.
The potential deal, despite the risks, is very exciting. If the team were to go through with it, Aston Martin could be at the top of the grid by 2026. Despite being new challenges, the team’s leadership and development efficiency can overcome them. The team’s ambitions and their leap in 2023 are indicators of their engineering skills. The team’s adaptability is crucial. But for a top-tier team, this should be a standard expectation.
