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Aston Martin has had discussions with Williams and Force India as part of its evaluation of a return to Formula 1 next season, AUTOSPORT understands.

On Saturday, AUTOSPORT and its sister publication Autocar revealed Aston Martin is discussing a return to F1 in a tie-up with Red Bull that would result in the team using Mercedes engines.

But it appears a deal is more likely to happen with one of the teams currently powered by Mercedes - Williams, Force India or Lotus.

Mercedes, which owns five per cent of Aston Martin, is understood to have given its blessing to such an arrangement.

Of the three teams, Williams and Force India are said to be the frontrunners.

Should a deal happen, Aston Martin would get branding on the car's airbox, with Mercedes recognised as the official engine supplier.

When asked about the talk of Aston Martin's shock return, its CEO Andy Palmer told AUTOSPORT: "The paddock is always full of rumours.

"We have to explore ways of getting Aston Martin's name known around the world and we currently use the World Endurance Championship principally to do that.

"My job is to concentrate on turning Aston Martin around.

"If something drops into our lap and if suddenly those stars align, would I consider it? Yes."

AUTOSPORT understands an Aston Martin return hinges on a deal that not only provided value for money but also put the iconic brand in significant contention to beat its road car rivals McLaren and Ferrari on track.

Palmer left a senior position at Nissan to take up his role as chief executive of Aston Martin, where sales have fallen over the last decade, in October 2014.