Attempts to introduce standard parts into Formula 1 from 2021 have been put in doubt after the FIA cancelled a first proposed tender.
Earlier this year, the governing body opened the process for a single supplier of gearbox casings as part of a drive to cut costs in areas that have little influence on car competitiveness.
However, following four applications, the process has now been withdrawn.
“The World Motor Sport Council’s decision was based on consideration of both technical and financial information made available by teams and suppliers,” the FIA said in a statement.
“The technical data provided revealed that gearbox technology in Formula 1 has largely converged and that, as a result, there is little performance differentiation at present.
“It was also noted that, due to the complexity of the components, gearboxes remain a sensitive matter in terms of reliability and this was factored into the evaluations of the FIA Technical Department.”
It was also suggested that the cost-saving “could be made by means other than the specification of a single supplier”.
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Recently, other tenders have been put out for standard components associated with the brake and fuel systems as well as wheel rims.
However, speculation in the paddock suggests they too could be scrapped with Liberty Media backing down on some of their more controversial plans.
More will likely emerge in the coming weeks as a deadline of the end of June approaches to agree the 2021 F1 regulations, although that is a date that could still be pushed back to October.
