Soldato
As you say there's been little in the way of viable rumours after Horner's mysterious comments, so either he's bluffing (surely they don't have anyone to bluff?) or they've got something completely unexpected lined up.
The rumour (the only rumour I've seen) with the fewest tenuous links is a Mercedes PU rebadged as Aston Martin, as Mercedes apparently own stock in AM, but then why has it taken it this long for this to become possible? There's been no whispers before, there's no reason for them to start now.
Just throwing semi-serious ideas out there...
1) He's bluffling no-one at all and they'll sign with Honda if Honda show a respectable improvement in 2018 and resign with Renault if the expected happens. Chances: Almost certain.
2) Mercedes are looking to leave F1 as a constructor, but continue once more as an engine manufacturer. Chances: Eddie Jordan's flinging the proverbial at a fan again.
3) Honda won't buy Aston Martin, but RB/AM to buy Honda's PU IP and infrastructure. They've wanted their own PU for some time. If Honda don't come good next year (unlikely) could they look to take it on themselves? Chances: Sod all. Honda would have quit at the end of this year if they were ready to fall on their sword and will refuse to sell/pass it on as it risks hurting their staunch Japanese pride even more. They won't let 2008/9 repeat itself.
4) In desperation they'll threaten to quit over the next year in the desperate hope that Mercedes or Ferrari will be charitable. Chances: 100%.
The rumour (the only rumour I've seen) with the fewest tenuous links is a Mercedes PU rebadged as Aston Martin, as Mercedes apparently own stock in AM, but then why has it taken it this long for this to become possible? There's been no whispers before, there's no reason for them to start now.
Just throwing semi-serious ideas out there...
1) He's bluffling no-one at all and they'll sign with Honda if Honda show a respectable improvement in 2018 and resign with Renault if the expected happens. Chances: Almost certain.
2) Mercedes are looking to leave F1 as a constructor, but continue once more as an engine manufacturer. Chances: Eddie Jordan's flinging the proverbial at a fan again.
3) Honda won't buy Aston Martin, but RB/AM to buy Honda's PU IP and infrastructure. They've wanted their own PU for some time. If Honda don't come good next year (unlikely) could they look to take it on themselves? Chances: Sod all. Honda would have quit at the end of this year if they were ready to fall on their sword and will refuse to sell/pass it on as it risks hurting their staunch Japanese pride even more. They won't let 2008/9 repeat itself.
4) In desperation they'll threaten to quit over the next year in the desperate hope that Mercedes or Ferrari will be charitable. Chances: 100%.