German F1 insider and driver Christian Danner believes Aston Martin is to be considering a major change to its Formula 1 engine partnership, claiming team owner Lawrence Stroll has quietly asked Mercedes about a possible return to its power units.
The former Formula 1 driver told Motorsport-Magazin that Stroll has already made discreet enquiries as Aston Martin continues to struggle with its Honda-powered package.
“I know that he [owner Lawrence Stroll, ed.] has already quietly inquired with Mercedes about the possibility of becoming a customer again.”
The comments come during a difficult 2026 campaign for Aston Martin, with the team currently tenth in the constructors’ championship after scoring just three points.
Danner points to Aston Martin-Honda problems
Aston Martin switched from Mercedes power to Honda for the 2026 regulations, with the Japanese manufacturer becoming the team’s works power-unit partner as Formula 1 entered its new generation of engines.
However, Danner believes the partnership has so far failed to deliver the performance Aston Martin expected.
“They in Japan won’t like this. On the other hand, it’s blatant what all doesn’t work there,” Danner said.
The German also argued that Honda has significant ground to make up, particularly when it comes to integrating the combustion engine with the electrical side of the new power unit.
Honda’s challenge is particularly significant under the 2026 regulations, which introduced a substantially revised power-unit concept with a much greater electrical contribution.
Mercedes return could be further advanced than first thought
Danner’s comments are particularly interesting in light of information understood by TJ13 from sources connected to Aston Martin’s Silverstone operation.
Contact between Aston Martin and Mercedes may have progressed beyond merely preliminary discussions. TJ13 understands that provisions have reportedly been incorporated into the design of Aston Martin’s next car that could accommodate a Mercedes power unit.
That information has not been publicly confirmed by Aston Martin or Mercedes, and TJ13 has been unable to independently verify the precise extent of any technical preparations.
If accurate, however, it would suggest that Aston Martin’s consideration of Mercedes power is not simply a contingency being discussed at management level. Incorporating provisions into a future chassis design would indicate that the possibility has been considered seriously enough to account for a different power-unit installation.
Aston Martin previously relied on Mercedes power for many years, meaning the team has existing knowledge of the German manufacturer’s architecture and integration requirements.
Mercedes return would represent a major U-turn
Aston Martin’s potential interest in Mercedes would be notable because the team previously relied on Mercedes power for many years.
Danner believes Mercedes currently has an advantage in the internal-combustion side of the power unit.
“Mercedes certainly has a combustion engine that is significantly better than what Honda has,” he said.
He also questioned the overall integration of the two power sources.
“The interplay between electric motor and combustion engine” also doesn’t work for Aston Martin, according to Danner, who added that Honda has “a tremendous amount of catching up to do in this area.”
Any move away from Honda would therefore represent a significant reversal for Aston Martin. The team committed to the manufacturer as part of its long-term works partnership, while the arrival of Adrian Newey and Honda’s involvement were central elements of Lawrence Stroll’s project to turn Aston Martin into a championship contender.
Azerbaijan double retirement adds to pressure
The difficulties were compounded at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll both failed to finish.
Danner pointed towards reliability and component-related problems as another area of concern.
“The problems also include all the components that catch fire,” the former F1 driver said.
Aston Martin’s position in the championship underlines the scale of its current difficulties. The team sits tenth among the 11 constructors with three points, while Cadillac, which joined Formula 1 for the 2026 season, remains the only team yet to score.
Danner’s claim about Stroll’s alleged approach to Mercedes has not been publicly confirmed by Aston Martin or Mercedes. If such discussions have taken place, however, they would underline the seriousness of the concerns surrounding Aston Martin’s current Honda partnership.
For now, Aston Martin remains committed to Honda, but Danner’s comments raise the possibility that the team could at least be exploring alternatives behind the scenes.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
