Fallows: Reliance on Mercedes 'not holding Aston back'

Aston Martin is open to reducing its reliance on Mercedes for certain parts of its F1 car in the future, but for now its relationship with the manufacturer isn't holding the team back insists tech boss Dan Fallows.

For many seasons now, going back to its days as Force India, Aston Martin has relied on Mercedes to supply not only its drivetrain but also certain specific 'non listed' parts of its car's rear suspension, i.e. components that it is authorized to acquire from the Brackley squad.

But under the guidance of team owner Lawrence Stroll, Aston ambitions to become more independent in the future and do things its own way.

The Silverstone-based outfit is currently in the process of building a new state-of-the-art factory, the bulk of which should be completed in May 2023, that will progressively transport the team into a new era.

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And achieving more design and manufacturing independence is part of Aston's plans of the future as Fallows explains.

"I think we're pretty open-minded about that kind of thing," said the Aston technical director when asked in a recent call with the media about bringing the design and production of more non-listed parts in-house.

"What this team has gained from its relationship with Mercedes has been immense, and as we move into the future and do things our own way, we're mindful that we have to do them at least as well and if not better than they do.

"That is a capability that you have to build up before we can even talk about making those decisions."

In the interim, Fallows made clear that Aston isn't weighed down by its current reliance on Mercedes.

"When we look at the future, all is open and Lawrence has been really open about his ambitions for the team.

"We will evaluate what is the next thing that will help us become more competitive, but at the moment, I don't see any of the stuff we get from Mercedes as holding us back in any way."

And that also includes the German manufacturer's power unit.

"I certainly don't feel that having the Mercedes HPP engine in our car has been in any way negative for us," added Fallows.

"I think it has proved its reliability, its performance is where it needs to be. I don't really think in modern F1 that is a problem at all."

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