Aston Martin F1 engine project gains momentum

Aston Martin is proceeding with its feasibility study linked to its plan to enter Formula 1 from 2021 as an engine supplier.

Chief executive officer Andy Palmer declared the company highly interested in entering Grand Prix racing in the future when the sport released its proposed future engine platform last year.

Since then, Aston Martin has hired engineering expertise, among which is former Ferrari engine man Luca Marmorini, to assess the challenges and practicability associated with producing a cost-effective power unit.

"It's gathered momentum, that's for sure," Palmer told Motorsport.com.

"Nothing's come along that's deflected the probability, nothing's been put in place that says we can't do it anymore, so we continue to do as much pre-study as we can in the context of what we understand of the regulations, which are not fully detailed.

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"We can at least size up the opportunity now.

"The bit that we don't know about the regs is the cost cap, and that's an integral part of our decision to come into the sport or not," he added.

"We don't have money to burn. It has to be a better return let's say that straightforward sponsorship, and that's a key part of the decision.

"I'm expecting something along the lines of a limited number of dyno hours, some way of putting a monetary effect on hours spent, that kind of thing."

As a current commercial partner of Red Bull Racing and a technical partner on its Valkyrie hypercar project, Aston Martin naturally views the Milton Keynes-based outfit as potential customer for its unit.

But Palmer insists his company must first ensure itself of its ability to produce a competitive engine before engaging in any discussions with Red Bull.

"We're looking at 2021, so it's somewhere down the road," said Palmer.

"But if we can't pass the 'It's OK for Red Bull test' then that probably means we're not passing the 'It's competitive' test, and it has to be competitive.

"There's approximately nine months work in front of us to convince ourselves one way or the other.

"You've got simulation tools and single cylinder work, and that gives you a pretty accurate correlation between the testing world and the simulation world."

Palmer has made clear from the outset that the luxury car brand would engage the services of a technical partner- such as Cosworth - for the design of a future engine, but the Aston Martin boss also wants his company to provide engineering input of its own.

"It brings authenticity, doesn't it? We have the likes of Luca as a consultant to work with us, and help us through the bear pits. He's done it before, he has a lot of credibility, a lot of understanding, and he can guide us.

"But most engines around the world are done with some from of consulting, there's obviously the Cosworths, the Ricardos, the Ilmors, the AVLs, those kinds of companies, that's what they do."

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