{"id":4569,"date":"2026-10-28T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4569"},"modified":"2026-10-28T09:21:35","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T12:21:35","slug":"red-bull-denies-serious-aston-martin-f1-engine-talks-as-hondas-2028-future-comes-under-scrutiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/red-bull-denies-serious-aston-martin-f1-engine-talks-as-hondas-2028-future-comes-under-scrutiny\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Bull denies serious Aston Martin F1 engine talks as Honda&#8217;s 2028 future comes under scrutiny"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has denied that the manufacturer is holding serious discussions about supplying another Formula 1 team<\/strong>, following speculation linking its Ford-backed engines to Aston Martin from 2028.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Red Bull Powertrains is focused on supplying Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls<\/strong>, with Mekies admitting that the company must improve engine performance and integration before expanding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aston Martin continues backing Honda despite its difficult 2026 season<\/strong>, while the Japanese manufacturer has outlined further improvements for 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Red Bull has denied being involved in serious negotiations to supply Formula 1 engines to Aston Martin, amid speculation that the British team could consider leaving Honda as early as 2028.<\/strong> Team principal Laurent Mekies said the Ford-backed power-unit operation is not ready to support another team, stressing that its immediate priority is improving engine performance and integration with the chassis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The comments follow reports that Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll has been evaluating possible alternatives to Honda after a difficult first season under Formula 1&#8217;s 2026 regulations. However, Mekies stopped short of ruling out a future supply agreement, leaving open the possibility that Red Bull Powertrains could eventually expand beyond its current two teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Red Bull denies serious engine supply talks with Aston Martin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speculation surrounding a possible partnership between Red Bull and Aston Martin emerged as the Silverstone-based team struggled with the performance of its Honda power unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to reports published in August, Aston Martin had begun considering alternative suppliers if Honda failed to make sufficient progress during 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains were identified as potential options, with a change theoretically possible from the 2028 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, when questioned during the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Mekies denied that Red Bull was conducting serious negotiations with another Formula 1 team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;Are we having any serious conversations with anyone to supply another team? No,&#8221;<\/strong> Mekies said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Frenchman explained that the strong early performance of Red Bull&#8217;s new engine had attracted interest from elsewhere on the grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, he stressed that interest should not be confused with an active commercial agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Red Bull already faces the challenge of developing and supplying power units for its factory operation and sister team Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Adding another customer would increase its manufacturing, engineering and operational responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For now, Mekies believes the project needs to become more competitive and mature before taking that step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian-Newey-Aston-Martin-Hungria-sexta-feira-F1-20262-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1020310398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian-Newey-Aston-Martin-Hungria-sexta-feira-F1-20262-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian-Newey-Aston-Martin-Hungria-sexta-feira-F1-20262-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian-Newey-Aston-Martin-Hungria-sexta-feira-F1-20262-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian-Newey-Aston-Martin-Hungria-sexta-feira-F1-20262-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian-Newey-Aston-Martin-Hungria-sexta-feira-F1-20262-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Adrian-Newey-Aston-Martin-Hungria-sexta-feira-F1-20262-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Adrian Newey (Photo: Aston Martin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mekies leaves possibility of future supply agreement open<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Red Bull is not currently negotiating a new engine supply agreement, Mekies was careful not to close the door permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked whether the situation would remain unchanged over the next five years, the team principal acknowledged that he could not predict the manufacturer&#8217;s long-term plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His position leaves a distinction between the immediate future and what might become possible in subsequent seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Red Bull does not intend to add another customer in the near term, but has not announced a permanent policy against supplying other teams.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mekies also identified the technical reasons for the cautious approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer must continue improving its power unit, refining its integration into the car and closing the gap to the strongest competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current operation combines Red Bull Powertrains&#8217; engineering resources with technical support from Ford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although its first season has delivered encouraging results, the manufacturer is still developing its understanding of the new Formula 1 engine regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mekies believes those priorities must come before any expansion of its customer programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Aston Martin has been linked with Red Bull engines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aston Martin entered 2026 with Honda as its exclusive works power-unit partner, ending its previous relationship with Mercedes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The arrangement was intended to provide closer technical integration between the chassis and engine, giving the British team greater control over its long-term development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the partnership has encountered major difficulties during its first season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honda has struggled with combustion performance, reliability, turbo response and drivability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have consequently endured a difficult campaign, with the AMR26 generally unable to challenge the midfield consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The problems have generated speculation about whether Aston Martin might eventually consider returning to Mercedes power or exploring a partnership with Red Bull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latter possibility has attracted additional attention because Adrian Newey, who now leads Aston Martin&#8217;s technical and sporting operation, spent almost two decades working with Red Bull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Newey is familiar with the Milton Keynes organisation and its engineering structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, <strong>those historical connections do not establish that negotiations are taking place<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mekies&#8217; comments indicate that Red Bull is not presently preparing to supply Aston Martin or another external customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honda admits Aston Martin will remain behind in early 2027<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The engine speculation has intensified because Honda itself acknowledges that its recovery will take time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief engineer Shintaro Orihara recently outlined a two-stage development programme for 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer plans to introduce improvements for the opening race, followed by another substantial upgrade around the eighth round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even with the first set of changes, Honda does not expect to match the leading power-unit manufacturers immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/honda-admits-aston-martin-will-start-f1-2027-behind-rivals-despite-major-engine-overhaul\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO reported, Honda has acknowledged that Aston Martin will begin 2027 behind its main rivals despite the planned engine overhaul<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese company considers combustion performance its principal weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its engineers are working to improve efficiency and overall output while refining the relationship between the combustion engine and the electrical system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honda has also introduced organisational changes to strengthen its power-unit operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those developments suggest that Aston Martin faces another period of technical recovery rather than an immediate return to competitiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nevertheless, the manufacturer retains the support of the British team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aston Martin insists Honda remains its long-term partner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aston Martin has also sought to reduce speculation about an imminent change of power-unit supplier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chief trackside officer Mike Krack reaffirmed the team&#8217;s commitment to Honda during the Austin weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He emphasised the long-term nature of the partnership and expressed confidence that the manufacturer could eventually help Aston Martin achieve its first victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The position is consistent with the approach taken by Newey, who has acknowledged Honda&#8217;s problems while continuing to support its development potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aston Martin therefore faces a delicate situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team needs substantial technical improvements to become more competitive in 2027, but abandoning a works partnership would create further complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A change of supplier could require significant modifications to the chassis, cooling systems, transmission integration and internal packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such a decision would involve much more than replacing one engine with another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fact that alternatives have reportedly been considered does not mean that Aston Martin has decided to terminate its Honda agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>No replacement power-unit supplier has been announced for 2028.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Red Bull&#8217;s own technical programme remains unfinished<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Red Bull Powertrains has enjoyed a more competitive debut than many observers expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Max Verstappen has won two Grands Prix in 2026 using the Ford-backed power unit, while Red Bull has improved its competitiveness during the second half of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer has also performed strongly in the FIA&#8217;s evaluation of combustion-engine performance under the Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Mekies has repeatedly insisted that Red Bull has not completed its technical development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The power unit still has areas requiring improvement, particularly in drivability and integration with the chassis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team has also identified weaknesses in other aspects of its mechanical package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/verstappen-and-hadjar-face-f1s-final-five-races-with-a-red-bull-problem-that-cannot-be-fixed-yet\/\">GRANDE PR\u00caMIO reported, Red Bull has admitted that its recurring race-start problems require hardware changes for 2027<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those issues involve the interaction between the engine, clutch and gearbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer therefore has several technical priorities as it prepares for its second season under the current regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supporting another team would add complexity to an operation already seeking improvements in performance and reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That helps explain Mekies&#8217; reluctance to expand the programme immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Could Red Bull supply Aston Martin from 2028?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A future agreement remains theoretically possible, but neither team has confirmed that negotiations are under way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mekies has ruled out serious current discussions and indicated that Red Bull is not ready to expand beyond its existing commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, he has not excluded the possibility of additional customers several years from now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aston Martin, meanwhile, continues publicly supporting Honda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese manufacturer has a substantial development programme planned for 2027, giving the partnership an opportunity to demonstrate progress before any future decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a potential 2028 change to become realistic, several questions would need to be resolved: Red Bull&#8217;s capacity to supply another team, Aston Martin&#8217;s willingness to change manufacturer, the technical integration of the new power unit and the commercial terms of any agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None has been publicly settled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The immediate focus for both organisations is the Mexican Grand Prix, scheduled for November 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Red Bull enters the weekend seeking to maintain its improved competitiveness, while Aston Martin and Honda continue working to reduce their performance deficit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/mexicos-2240-metre-altitude-puts-f1s-new-hybrid-engines-to-their-toughest-test-yet\/\">technical challenges created by Mexico City&#8217;s 2,240-metre altitude<\/a><\/strong> will provide another demanding test for both manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1 section<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Laurent Mekies denies that Red Bull is negotiating a new Formula 1 engine supply agreement, insisting the Ford-backed project must improve its own power unit before considering a third 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