Aston Martin sets out timeline for 2021 Formula 1 entry decision

Aston Martin says a decision on whether to proceed with a Formula 1 engine for the 2021 regulations will be made within the next nine months.

CEO Andy Palmer has made no secret of his excitement for the 2021 F1 rules, which mandate a simplified version of the current hybrid V6.

Former Ferrari F1 engine boss Luca Marmorini was hired last year as a consultant, and has been working on a feasibility study for Aston.

Aston Martin is the title sponsor of Red Bull Racing, but Palmer admits Aston will have to prove to itself that it can make a competitive F1 engine before any deal can be discussed with Red Bull, and reckons that will be clear by early 2019.

"We're looking at 2021, so it's somewhere down the road," Palmer said.

"But if we can't pass the 'it's OK for Red Bull test' then that probably means we're not passing the 'it's competitive' test, and it has to be competitive.

"There's approximately nine months' work in front of us to convince ourselves one way or the other.

"You've got simulation tools and single cylinder work, and that gives you a pretty accurate correlation between the testing world and the simulation world."

Palmer added that the F1 project had gathered momentum in the company.

"Nothing's come along that's deflected the probability, nothing's been put in place that says we can't do it anymore, so we continue to do as much pre-study as we can in the context of what we understand of the regulations, which are not fully detailed," he explained.

"We can at least size up the opportunity now."