Force India's chief operating officer has confirmed that the team's car will not sport Aston Martin branding in 2016.

Speaking in October, Force India boss Vijay Mallya revealed that ongoing discussions might see the Silverstone outfit rebranded as Aston Martin, sending many race fans into a frenzy

Despite the fact that Aston Martin's motorsport activities have mainly centred on Sports Car racing, the British marque contested five rounds of the Formula One World Championship in 1959 and 1960. Indeed, a return to F1 would see it battling once again with former Sports Car rivals Mercedes and Ferrari.

Speaking in Birmingham today however, Force India's chief operating officer, Otmar Szafnauer admitted that the deal is not going to happen, at least not this year.

"It's a big step, and it's flattering that Aston Martin have been talking to is," he said.

"We're still talking," he added. "In the short term, meaning 2016, I don't see that type of re-branding happening. But you never know what the future holds thereafter."

Prior to the Force India link, Aston Martin, one of those names, like VW, forever the subject of F1 speculation, was linked with Red Bull.

In July last year, as Red Bull's search for a new engine partner continued, it was rumoured that the Austrian team might run an Aston Martin badged Mercedes engine - the German manufacturer holding a 5% stake in the company.

However, as we all know, Mercedes wouldn't supply Red Bull - no matter what the badge read - leaving the Austrian team to stick with Renault, albeit badged as Tag Heuer.