Aston Martin's F1 return with Force India put on hold
Aston Martin's return to Formula 1 via a tie-up with Force India has been placed on hold
Autosport revealed at the end of October the Aston Martin name was poised to return to F1 this season after a 55-year absence.
In early December Force India's chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer stated a conclusion to the deal was "close", suggesting the team would be in a position to confirm details by the middle of the month.
Unfortunately Force India's hopes of being rebranded as Aston Martin Racing in 2016 have fallen through, with discussions now on the backburner.
Szafanuer insists a deal "is not dead", and there remain hopes for 2017, telling Autosport: "It probably won't happen for 2016, but we're still talking.
"It's flattering for a company like Aston to be talking to Force India, to want to partner with us and come into Formula 1, but the story isn't final there yet."
As to the reasoning behind Aston's decision, Szafnauer added: "They have a lot of initiatives and they're changing their line-up of cars.
"They're a great company with very exciting times ahead of them, and you never know when they'll choose Formula 1 as a marketing tool.
"So for 2016 I don't think that will happen, but for the future there are still possibilities.
"The use of Formula 1 for them was going to be many fold, and perhaps the timing of a future year is better for those objectives."
Asked if there was disappointment such a brand would not be in F1 this year, Szafnauer said: "Our expectations were such that we discussed it and had a good business case to go forward.
"We did it with the objective of it happening in the short term. If it now happens in the long term, is there disappointment? Probably not.
"Is short term better? That's what we are still working towards as there is still an opportunity somewhere down the line, maybe even from '17.
"We're still in communication with them all the time, and definitely it's not dead."
Previous article
Analysis: What VW's Jost Capito can bring to McLaren F1 team
Next article
What is Subaru doing in the BTCC?
The figures Red Bull and Mercedes can't afford to see again in F1 2021
OPINION: An interloper squad got amongst the title contenders during Formula 1’s street-circuit mini-break, where Red Bull left with the points lead in both championships. But, as the campaign heads back to purpose-built venues once again, how the drivers of the two top teams compare in one crucial area will be a major factor in deciding which squad stays in or retakes the top spot
Why Alfa's boss is ready for the task of securing a stronger F1 future
Two tenth places in recent races have lifted Alfa Romeo to the head of Formula 1's 'Class C' battle in 2021, but longer-term the Swiss-based squad has far loftier ambitions. With the new 2022 rules set to level out the playing field, team boss Frederic Vasseur has good reason to be optimistic, as he explained to Autosport in an exclusive interview
How Barnard’s revolutionary McLaren transformed F1 car construction
The MP4/1 was pioneering by choice, but a McLaren by chance. STUART CODLING relates the tangled (carbonfibre) weaves which led to the creation of one of motor racing’s defining cars
Why the end is nigh for F1’s most dependable design tool
Windtunnel work forms the bedrock of aerodynamic development in Formula 1. But as PAT SYMONDS explains, advances in virtual research are signalling the end of these expensive and complicated relics
Why polarising Mosley’s legacy amounts to far more than tabloid rumour
The newspapers, naturally, lingered over Max Mosley’s tainted family history and niche sexual practices. But this is to trivialise the legacy of a big beast of motor racing politics. STUART CODLING weighs the life of a man whose work for safety on both road and track has saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but whose penchant for cruelty remains problematic and polarising
Why pragmatic Perez isn't fazed by no-nonsense Red Bull F1 culture
Sergio Perez has spent most of his career labouring in Formula 1’s midfield, wondering whether he’d ever get another shot at the big time. Red Bull has handed him that chance and, although life at the top is tough, the Baku winner is doing all the right things to get on terms with Max Verstappen, says BEN ANDERSON
What the data tells us about the F1 2021 title fight
Formula 1 has been tracking car performance using timing loops mounted every 200m around each circuit – to the extent that it was able to anticipate Ferrari’s 'surprise’ pole in Monaco. PAT SYMONDS explains what this means for this season and beyond
The weighty issue F1 needs to find a balance with
OPINION: After consecutive street races with contrasting highlights, one theme stood out which has become a prevalent issue with modern Formula 1 cars. But is there a way to solve it or, at least, reach a happy middle ground to help all parties?
