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The FIA has sent out a notice looking for applications to be the sole supplier of Formula 1 gearbox's from the 2021 season onwards.
The tender documents reveal that the supply would commence in 2021 and end in 2024, with the intended supplier being the only manufacturer for the entire grid.
Currently, gearboxes are manufactured by a number of different companies including the teams themselves, including Williams Grand Prix Engineering, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull technology.
In the FIA document, it read: "The aim of single source supply is to retain current levels of Formula One gear change performance for all cars at a much reduced cost to the COMPETITORS while also removing the requirement for teams to design or source their own gearboxes.
"The unit can be carried over between seasons so removing the need for costly continual performance development."
The document also added that the "life of the unit is defined by the race requirement of 4 per season."
The 2021 season is set to see a number of regulation changes, in the engine and aerodynamic departments, as well as the sporting regulations.
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Replies (5)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Mm, Im mixed with this. On one hand: great, reduced customer costs. On the other, this kiiinda walk over the constructor's sport bit (though some teams don't make their own boxes anyway), and will they punish team still if their standardized gearboxes fail?
f1dave
Posts: 782
Of course they will continue to penalize for gearbox failure . . .it's all about the "show"
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Of course. Though I don't think the gearbox is all that much about innovation anymore. Its more or less similar among the teams anyway, aside from dimensions and a few other factors. I do however think they should allow the teams who wanna produce their own boxes to do so, while the others could grab the standardized box.
f1dave
Posts: 782
Another rule to stifle innovation ! They won't be satisfied untill F1 is a spec series . . . just buy a car pay your way in, job done.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Totally, totally agree. There’s a lot of back end weight in gearboxes, kill innovation in drivetrain technology (weight, gear changing, materials). Engines next?