Currently a customer team of Mercedes, Aston Martin considers options for Formula 1’s next power unit era.
- The main pillars of the 2026 F1 car are expected to be the retention of the 1.6-liter V6 engine, but removal of the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit-Heat), an increase in electrical power to 350 kw, and the introduction of a power unit cost cap
- Aston Martin is currently a customer of Mercedes, a relationship for power units that began back in 2009.
- Formula 1 currently has four different power units courtesy of Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull Powertrains.
Aston Martin says it will assess whether it should develop its own Formula 1 power unit when new regulations are introduced in 2026.
Formula 1 officials last year outlined the framework of the revised regulations that will come into effect from 2026, which will mark the biggest change since the 1.6-liter V6 turbo hybrid power units were introduced in 2014.
The main pillars are the retention of the 1.6-liter V6 engine, but removal of the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit-Heat), an increase in electrical power to 350 kw, and the introduction of a power unit cost cap; the fully-detailed regulations are due to be published early this year.
Aston Martin is currently a customer of Mercedes, a relationship for power units that began back in 2009. Then, the Formula 1 team existed as Force India, back when the series used V8 engines.
Aston Martin has been expanding since its mid-2018 takeover by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll. It was rebranded last year, and a state-of-the-art factory is under construction around its existing facility at Silverstone, due for completion in 2023. It added Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant Aramco as a title partner this year.
It has also recruited heavily and among its new faces is Mike Krack, who officially took up his role as its new team principal this week, following a lengthy spell in various positions with BMW’s motorsport division.
“First of all I have to say we are happy with the engine partner we are having,” Krack said, referencing Mercedes. “I think it’s normal for a brand like Aston Martin that if there are new power unit regulations that you look into that, that you carefully investigate if that is strategically the right thing.
Welcome to the team, Mike. 👊
Tap below to discover how he plans to help @AstonMartinF1 rise to the challenge of competing at the front of the grid.— Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 4, 2022
“Now we are in 2022, and the timelines are reasonable to introduce (the new regulations) in ‘26, because we know other competitors are also evaluating to make an entry. I think from a timeline (point of view), it is reasonable to, if you take this decision, to be on the grid in ‘26 with your own (power unit), it is the right moment to look into it now.”
Krack’s comments echo the view taken by Aston Martin’s chief technical officer Andrew Green when it launched its 2022 car last month.
“I think going forward with our ambitions, we’re definitely investigating our power unit supply in the long-term,” said Green at the time. “2026 is mooted as a new power unit regulation and I think, as a team, we’d love to be involved.”
Formula 1 currently has four different power units courtesy of Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull Powertrains. The newly-formed Red Bull Powertrains runs Honda’s power units, following the marque’s official exit after 2021, and is already working on its 2026 product.
Keyword: Why Aston Martin Says 2026 Might Be the Right Time for Its Own F1 Engines