Aston Martin would welcome the VW Group’s entry into Formula 1

The current F1 engines are expected to run until the end of the 2024 season before a new engine is introduced. The last summit on proposals will take place in Austria at the beginning of the month.

The existing players Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and Red Bull were accompanied to the meeting by representatives from Audi and Porsche to show the VW Group’s interest in bringing one of its brands into F1.

The meeting went largely positive, F1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali called it “a good step in the right direction”.

The Aston Martin team is powered by Mercedes, but Stroll said he would welcome the arrival of another major manufacturer in Formula 1 to bolster the series.

“I would definitely welcome the entry of the VW Group,” said Stroll in a selected media round table, which Motorsport.com also belonged to. “I just think it would show us the strength of the sport. The stronger the groups are in the sport, the better for everyone involved, whether fans, team owners, FOM or FIA.

“So I know they are pretty engrossed in talking about going back with one or two of their brands and I am very excited and very supportive of them when they get into the sport.

“I think it would be great.”

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With Honda leaving Formula 1 at the end of the year, officials are keen to introduce a power unit that is both cheap and sustainable, with an emphasis on e-fuels.

Red Bull will take over Honda’s existing engines as the first step in the production of its own powertrains from 2025 and calls for a “clean sheet” approach to be followed at this point.

Current Williams CEO Jost Capito was formerly Motorsport Director of Volkswagen and expressed his belief that F1 needed a “significant change” to align with the road car industry.

“If you look at where the automotive industry is going, the CO2 debate is an issue,” said Capito. “I am firmly convinced that Formula 1 must also go to zero CO2 from 2025, but there are more technical possibilities than just a fully electric combination with hybrid.

“In my view, these systems and technologies have a future in mobility and so I think regulations should go in that direction, but should consider all options.

“That is why it is right that the car manufacturers have to join the discussion. They have to be attracted by the new regulations, otherwise they would not participate.”