Red Bull offered hope from Aston Martin if Honda quit F1

Red Bull's title sponsor Aston Martin has talked up the prospect of becoming an engine supplier in Formula 1, if the team's existing partner Honda does not remain in the sport.

Honda and Red Bull have made an impressive start to life together this season, with Max Verstappen securing the Japanese brand's first podium since returning to F1 at the season-opener in Australia and then delivering Honda's first grand prix win in 13 years in Austria recently.

However, with F1's regulations changes for 2021 still to be finalised, Honda's long-term commitment to F1 remains uncertain; in fact, Red Bull chief Dr Helmut Marko has suggested the team's own future in F1 will be aligned to Honda's.

However, Aston Martin chief Andy Palmer says the luxury car brand, which has partnered with Red Bull on the Valkyrie hypercar, could be willing to fill the void.

"Would I like to be a little bit more involved [in F1] technically? I think that depends," Palmer told Autosport.

"The obvious place for Aston to become involved in would have been the engine.

"I think that's a question on whether Honda continues to develop the engine.

"Clearly they have a lot more money and musclepower than we do. I don't think we're going to muscle in on that while the relationship with Honda exists.

"We're very happy with that relationship and we're happy to see it continue. But nobody knows quite what the regulations will be beyond 2021 and who is going to be involved in that.

"We stand ready from that point of view, with the hope that Honda will continue.

"Our focus is now mainly looking at the development of the Valkyrie, Valhalla, Vanquish series and the exploits in Le Mans."

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