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Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff would not advise Aston Martin to pursue building its own engine in the future, amid speculation Lawrence Stroll might be interested in that.
The Aston Martin team is a long-time Mercedes customer across various identities as it has used Mercedes engines since Force India switched from Ferrari for the 2009 season.
Wolff and Aston Martin F1 owner Stroll are associates who have a shared business interest in the Aston Martin automotive company, of which Stroll is chairman and Wolff is a minority investor.
Stroll is investing heavily in the F1 team, which is building a brand new factory and is being expanded into a broader technologies group.
There have been suggestions Stroll’s long-term vision for the Aston Martin F1 team could include interest in exploring an alternative engine programme, perhaps even its own – akin to Red Bull creating its own Powertrains division.
Asked if he’d recommend an Aston Martin engine project, Wolff said: “No, definitely not. I think we have the industrial logic of Mercedes being a supplier to the road car company, and Mercedes being a supplier to the Formula 1 team.
“It’s a credible story. It makes sense for both sides. And that’s why I don’t know where that has come from.”
The topic is believed to have arisen from Stroll’s request to be part of the group that discusses future F1 engine regulations.
Aston Martin team boss Otmar Szafnauer was asked in Saudi Arabia last week if Stroll is keen to build his own engine.
“Well, you know, never say never,” said Szafnauer.
“We have a long term contract, however, with Mercedes and we are happy with the powertrain that we have.
“They’ve served us well over the years and the plan is to stay with Mercedes.”
Stroll’s request to the FIA is not believed to be an indication of an imminent standalone engine programme or a desire for Aston Martin to strike a works deal with a new manufacturer.
Instead, it is thought to reflect Stroll’s desire to better understand the technical direction F1 could head in the long-term so he can plan accordingly.
When the topic emerged in Saudi Arabia, an Aston Martin F1 team spokesperson said: “We are very happy with our current partner Mercedes-Benz, to whom we are contracted for some years yet, and we have no alternative plans at this time.”
