Aston Martin - soon to be in F1
Discussion
OK - rank speculation, but anyway...
So about 20 minutes into the Sky coverage of FP1, there's an interview with Christian Horner. Ted throws a tail end question about the Aston Martin RedBull hypercar engine and Horner just can't resist having a dig at Renault. I don't think he's stupid enough to undermine a relationship that early in the season without a fall-back position and I don't see an engine coming from the paddock. So, my Holmes-esque conclusion is AM coming to F1, with a second option of WEC LMP1 and GT teams with AM if F1 doesn't pad out.
So about 20 minutes into the Sky coverage of FP1, there's an interview with Christian Horner. Ted throws a tail end question about the Aston Martin RedBull hypercar engine and Horner just can't resist having a dig at Renault. I don't think he's stupid enough to undermine a relationship that early in the season without a fall-back position and I don't see an engine coming from the paddock. So, my Holmes-esque conclusion is AM coming to F1, with a second option of WEC LMP1 and GT teams with AM if F1 doesn't pad out.
Smitters said:
OK - rank speculation, but anyway...
So about 20 minutes into the Sky coverage of FP1, there's an interview with Christian Horner. Ted throws a tail end question about the Aston Martin RedBull hypercar engine and Horner just can't resist having a dig at Renault. I don't think he's stupid enough to undermine a relationship that early in the season without a fall-back position and I don't see an engine coming from the paddock. So, my Holmes-esque conclusion is AM coming to F1, with a second option of WEC LMP1 and GT teams with AM if F1 doesn't pad out.
They announced that yesterdaySo about 20 minutes into the Sky coverage of FP1, there's an interview with Christian Horner. Ted throws a tail end question about the Aston Martin RedBull hypercar engine and Horner just can't resist having a dig at Renault. I don't think he's stupid enough to undermine a relationship that early in the season without a fall-back position and I don't see an engine coming from the paddock. So, my Holmes-esque conclusion is AM coming to F1, with a second option of WEC LMP1 and GT teams with AM if F1 doesn't pad out.
https://twitter.com/F1/status/710394489320443904
Not too convinced myself.
The reports I've seen on the AM/RB tie-up are all more brand than substance. As Horner was quoted as saying "Through this innovation partnership, the iconic Aston Martin logo will return to grand prix racing for the first time since 1960 and Red Bull advanced technologies, led by Adrian, will be using Formula One DNA to produce the ultimate of all road cars. It realises a dream and vision long held by Adrian to design a road car."
So basically AM/Newey wanted to work on a new road car and the price to get Red Bulls agreement was a race car sponsorship deal.
Let's face it AM just haven't got the money you need to throw at an F1 engine programe.
As for "a second option of WEC LMP1 and GT teams with AM if F1 doesn't pad out." umm, they've tried LMP1 and couldn't afford to be competitive with the LMP1P teams like Rebellion, let alone the big boys and they've already in LMGT and have been for the last 10 years.
The reports I've seen on the AM/RB tie-up are all more brand than substance. As Horner was quoted as saying "Through this innovation partnership, the iconic Aston Martin logo will return to grand prix racing for the first time since 1960 and Red Bull advanced technologies, led by Adrian, will be using Formula One DNA to produce the ultimate of all road cars. It realises a dream and vision long held by Adrian to design a road car."
So basically AM/Newey wanted to work on a new road car and the price to get Red Bulls agreement was a race car sponsorship deal.
Let's face it AM just haven't got the money you need to throw at an F1 engine programe.
As for "a second option of WEC LMP1 and GT teams with AM if F1 doesn't pad out." umm, they've tried LMP1 and couldn't afford to be competitive with the LMP1P teams like Rebellion, let alone the big boys and they've already in LMGT and have been for the last 10 years.
Sorry - I really failed to make clear what I meant - I just thought it funny that Horner was so openly rude about his F1 engine supplier literally minutes after going on air at the first race. Made me think there was an alternative F1 engine in the pipeline. He's surely learned not to burn bridges by now...?
Re LMP1, it occurred to me that if Redbull do throw their toys out of the pram and leave F1, would they sell the team, or would they re-purpose the skills into another series. About the only one I could think of that would interest them on a global scale was LMS.
As has been said, it seems a far too expensive proposition but still - it gave me pause for thought.
Re LMP1, it occurred to me that if Redbull do throw their toys out of the pram and leave F1, would they sell the team, or would they re-purpose the skills into another series. About the only one I could think of that would interest them on a global scale was LMS.
As has been said, it seems a far too expensive proposition but still - it gave me pause for thought.
Edited by Smitters on Monday 21st March 11:27
Alex Langheck said:
F1/ F1 media seems desperate for VW/Audi to join - and now have put 2+2 = AM joining F1....
I think it's more a case of desperation as much as anything else. Small teams are being increasingly priced out of a sport dominated by the deep pockets of the major auto companies and the sport needs new blood to cover the potential losses. Let's face it we could easily have started the Australian GP with just 8 cars on the grid; Red Bull and Torro Rosso lost to a team owner's ego, Force India to the lawyers, and Sauber, Manor and Renault to their creditors.So who COULD F1 get in as a serious prospect?
The US manufacturers aren't really interested.
BMW and Toyota are still licking their wounds from their last attempts, with Honda probably wishing they were still wound-licking and hadn't returned.
That really just leaves VAG, and the hope that if you say something enough times it will happen.
//j17 said:
Alex Langheck said:
F1/ F1 media seems desperate for VW/Audi to join - and now have put 2+2 = AM joining F1....
I think it's more a case of desperation as much as anything else. Small teams are being increasingly priced out of a sport dominated by the deep pockets of the major auto companies and the sport needs new blood to cover the potential losses. Let's face it we could easily have started the Australian GP with just 8 cars on the grid; Red Bull and Torro Rosso lost to a team owner's ego, Force India to the lawyers, and Sauber, Manor and Renault to their creditors.So who COULD F1 get in as a serious prospect?
The US manufacturers aren't really interested.
BMW and Toyota are still licking their wounds from their last attempts, with Honda probably wishing they were still wound-licking and hadn't returned.
That really just leaves VAG, and the hope that if you say something enough times it will happen.
They should retain a standardised (working) ERS of some sort to appease the faction that brought all this stuff in in the first place, and then go motor racing again.
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