Aston Martin is evaluating the feasibility of building its own F1 power unit in 2026, when revised engine rules will be introduced. Billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll is investing heavily in a factory in Silverstone and is building a new one that will house a new wind tunnel and simulator as he tries to transform the team into a world championship contender.
Aston Martin currently uses mercedes power units and employs a world champion gearbox and rear suspension system. But looking ahead, technical director Andrew Green said they are considering going it alone and building their own engine. "I think with our ambitions, we will definitely support the long-term development of our powerplant," Green said at the AMR22 launch.
"There are expected to be new power unit rules in 2026 and I think as a team we would love to be involved. We now have Aramco involved as a sponsor and I think the negotiations will continue in the coming years... We'll see. Of course, we'll study it in great detail and see if it's good in that direction." If Aston Martin follows this route, they will follow Red Bull, building their own engine development arm, Red Bull Powertrains, after its supplier Honda decided to quit the sport late last year.
While they will continue to use Honda-made engines this season, their own divisions are already online and are developing engines for 2026. Aston Martin started a few pre-tests in an encouraging way, running more than 100 laps for two consecutive days. But they ran into trouble on their final day at Barcelona, where Sebastian Vettel stopped on the track due to an oil spill – which led to a small fire – and they didn't return to the track in the afternoon. It ended with 296 laps, ranking seventh in the leaderboard.
They will travel to Bahrain next week with their rival nine teams for the official pre-season test. The three-day event kicks off on March 10, and the first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix, will be held at the same venue from March 18 to 20.