Is the FIA willing to do anything to keep Alonso or Honda?
The statements of the International Federation president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, during the Madrid weekend were definitely unusual. The FIA chief had in fact stated that he had met Lawrence Stroll and Fernando Alonso offering to change the 2027 rules to try to give a boost of competitiveness to Aston Martin.
But there was doubt that this move by Ben Sulayem implied a much more important plan, namely to avoid any risk of seeing Honda leave the Circus again.
The background: Aston Martin and Red Bull engines
This last path seems to be the correct one, given the latest rumors coming from the Madrid paddock. FormulaPassion.it can confirm that in the pits the rumor is spreading that for some time Aston Martin has been looking around on the engine front, considering several options.
In particular after Monza Lawrence Stroll had in-depth contacts with Red Bull, to discuss the possibility of obtaining the power unit produced in Milton Keynes.
The discussion has started, but, at least at this stage, Red Bull does not seem to be willing to supply other teams besides Racing Bulls.
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The Aston Martin-Aramco-Honda asset
Aware of what is happening behind the scenes, Liberty Media and FIA seem more determined than ever to do everything possible to keep Honda on board, since it is the only non-European engine manufacturer in the category.
Lawrence Stroll is making his voice heard, eager to realize the large investments made in recent years, driven by Adrian Newey and Fernando Alonso, but also by Aramco – strategic partner and title sponsor of the team, but also a global partner of Formula 1. A convergence of interests that could therefore lead to new ad hoc solutions (after those at the beginning of the year) to bring Honda back to a good level of competitiveness and thus Aston Martin and Alonso.
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