Ahead of the Monaco 🐓Grand Prix, Aston Martin announced they would be ditching Mercedes power units in favour of a move to be꧋come Honda’s official works team when new engine regulations begin in 2026.

The switch will mark the end of a long-standing customer deal between Mercedes and the Silverstone-based outfit, who have used the Germ🅠an manufacturer’s power units throꦚughout their various guises since 2009. 

But Mercedes team principal Wolff does not seeℱ the impending change as a reflec🌠tion on his team’s current level of performance. 

Instead, Wolff says Aston Martin’s transition to achieve ‘wor൲ks’ status underlines the team’s lofty ambitions to win world championships in the future. 

“I don’t think them switching from a Mercedes client situation to a Honda has anything to do with the power unit﷽,” Wolff said.

“I think we are competitive in terms of power unit, but they always wanted ♒to emancipate themselves and become a true works team, and that’s what they’re doing.

“They have their own exclusive power unit supply deal, they have their own fuel supplier, they are building a big factory that♛’s going online in theℱ next few months. 

“Lawrence [Stroll, Aston Martin owওner]’s aim is never small. I think when you want to be competitive and win championships, that is the kind of step that you need to m♍ake.”