Formula 1 appears set to use standardised gearboxes in 2021 after the FIA officially put out a tender for potential suppliers.
Increasing the number of shared components across all teams is considered one part of Liberty Media's strategy to reduce costs and create a more level playing field for those without the financial clout of a manufacturer.
Under the tender announced on Tuesday, the governing body explained what exactly would be required.
“The aim of single source supply is to retain current levels of F1 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 FIA said.
“The unit can be carried over between seasons so removing the need for costly continual performance development."
There will still be areas where teams have to come up with their own design, however.
“In order to retain competitor’s own freedoms for suspension and for the gearbox aero surfaces, the outer housing will remain team specific with the common, self-contained gearbox cassette mounted inside.”
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Currently, F1 teams must make each gearbox last six races before it can be changed without penalty and, while this move to standardise may remove that regulation, durability and adaptability will be key requirements.
“The unit will need to be designed in conjunction with all the existing competitors and PU suppliers to ensure it can function as well as possible in all cars and best endeavours should be made to satisfy as many competitors and PU supplier requests as practical in a unit for everyone," the tender continues.
“Clearly, the competitors that currently produce their own gearboxes will have knowledge built up that should be sought and taken account of if possible. In particular, their best design practices should be sought and a coherent set of design practice actioned during the process.”
