Discussion
I'm not sure how much truth there is in this... 'high level sources' etc
First time I have seen it in anything like mainstream media
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport/merc...
First time I have seen it in anything like mainstream media
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport/merc...
TheDeuce said:
I was driving and got an alert come through about this one!
Who knows if true, plain rumour or mis-information leaked for some reason. But say it were true, it would make some sense and I'm far from the only member on these forums to have speculated 2020 could, and in some ways should be Mercedes last season. And of course the team itself lives on regardless.
Also if true, interesting that Toto would become an owner along with Stroll, and by extension retain his executive control of the team no doubt - albeit under the Aston Martin brand. And also, according to 'sources' he would join Stroll in buying out Aston Martin.
If it's all true, then Aston Martin would become a genuine F1 team.. And both their road and F1 cars would be powered by Mercedes (still). And with Toto still at the top, this 'massive story' is actually that, other than a name change, in terms of the team and F1, there isn't really very much change at all! They have tagged on the sensational 'could trigger Lewis to leave' bit, but honestly from his perspective what does this change? Same boss, same team, same engineers, same factory, same engine supplier...
Ya know what, so much of this story makes sense that I'm going to be a bit bold and predict that its more or less true
Ha, I think it is a load of old tosh Who knows if true, plain rumour or mis-information leaked for some reason. But say it were true, it would make some sense and I'm far from the only member on these forums to have speculated 2020 could, and in some ways should be Mercedes last season. And of course the team itself lives on regardless.
Also if true, interesting that Toto would become an owner along with Stroll, and by extension retain his executive control of the team no doubt - albeit under the Aston Martin brand. And also, according to 'sources' he would join Stroll in buying out Aston Martin.
If it's all true, then Aston Martin would become a genuine F1 team.. And both their road and F1 cars would be powered by Mercedes (still). And with Toto still at the top, this 'massive story' is actually that, other than a name change, in terms of the team and F1, there isn't really very much change at all! They have tagged on the sensational 'could trigger Lewis to leave' bit, but honestly from his perspective what does this change? Same boss, same team, same engineers, same factory, same engine supplier...
Ya know what, so much of this story makes sense that I'm going to be a bit bold and predict that its more or less true
TheDeuce said:
Well only one of us can be right! 
If it's me I'll definitely quote you when the day comes
(If not I'll probably never mention it again...)
I'd sort of like it all to happen, I just think that Aston is in a bigger hole than we are led to believe which could scupper things.If it's me I'll definitely quote you when the day comes
(If not I'll probably never mention it again...)
TheDeuce said:
In a way, the bigger the hole the better if you're an investor and genuinely believe you can fix it up. Buy low, sell high..
And brand-wise Aston are pretty solid, and so well known/loved, always potential value in such a brand. They are currently stuck as they don't have the capital or scale of sales to keep up with modern car tech development, hence the recent and slightly uncomfortable switch to Mercedes drive-train, engines, infotainment etc etc. But one way to give them a sexy edge, a reason to continue to exist, would be to bolster their racing heritage and renew it for the modern era.
If 'their' F1 car wins, powered by Mercedes - it might suddenly not look so bad that their road cars are 50% Mercedes. I can sort of see it making a lot of sense if handled correctly and Toto does have exceptional form. Actually in terms of brand elevation, so does Stroll.
It could make sense and it could happen however, I don't think it will. It is all just leaked nonsense to distract from what is really going on.And brand-wise Aston are pretty solid, and so well known/loved, always potential value in such a brand. They are currently stuck as they don't have the capital or scale of sales to keep up with modern car tech development, hence the recent and slightly uncomfortable switch to Mercedes drive-train, engines, infotainment etc etc. But one way to give them a sexy edge, a reason to continue to exist, would be to bolster their racing heritage and renew it for the modern era.
If 'their' F1 car wins, powered by Mercedes - it might suddenly not look so bad that their road cars are 50% Mercedes. I can sort of see it making a lot of sense if handled correctly and Toto does have exceptional form. Actually in terms of brand elevation, so does Stroll.
TheDeuce said:
There is zero way they have a dollar to spare. Read the story in full.. if true it would equal an acquisition of Aston Martin. The F1 effort would add value to Aston, not the other way round.
Would it actually add value? They would get exposure but you could argue that they get exposure on the Aston Martin Red Bull, which gets lots of coverage. Would the additional exposure be worth it? I appreciate they want to ramp up car sales but is f1 the right route to their market (their market being bloated SUVs it would seem).I can see Mercedes wanting some sort of exit at some point. Toto, given the right backing would be a massive asset to any team. The Lewis/Toto partnership even more so. Stroll is clearly a very smart operator. Aston need cash.
We could widen the net. Williams also need cash, there are mutterings at Renault. Maybe Stroll will buy everything!
Deesee said:
Ah they are denying it, so it must be true (I sat next to Bernie once, I think I'm getting the hang of this misinformation lark).
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