F1 News: Aston Martin Pushing For Standardized Gearboxes Across Teams To Cut Costs

Aston Martin is ramping up its own transmission department before the 2026 regulations swing into action. However, the high costs associated with designing and producing gearboxes have caused the team to push for standardized gearboxes across the teams which would benefit everybody.

The FIA had proposed to have standard gearbox cassettes for the current regulations but the teams rejected the idea in 2019. Consequently, putting across a similar idea ahead of 2026 could attract a similar response.

Listen To The Latest Driven Mad Podcast Episode

Until now, Aston Martin has been using customer units from McLaren and Mercedes since its Force India days in 2009. But Aston Martin engineering director Luca Furbatto says the sport will miss an opportunity to cut costs if the gearbox isn't standardized for 2026. Revealing the idea in an interview on the team's website, he said:

“We're pushing for a standardised gearbox because it makes financial sense in a cost cap environment.

"But we are facing stiff opposition. Realistically it’s not going to happen any time soon. It's possible the FIA may reach something of a middle ground, with the design becoming a little more prescribed, lighter and simplified.

"I suspect we will look back in a few years and conclude that we lost a golden opportunity to reduce costs within the transmission area.

"It is something that the fans cannot see, the technology is the same between all teams and brings very little performance.

"The money saved on transmission could be repurposed towards aero development, which is currently the only way to compress the grid and improve the show.”

Furbatto added that the last time the team made its own gearbox was in 2008. Now though for 2026, the team will have to build competency in this area. He said:

“The last time this team made its own gearbox was 2008 and things have moved on a bit since then!

"We are recruiting and building our competencies in this area – and we've already brought in a number of very talented designers.

"The group working on this project is still very much growing, but the work being done with a mix of internal resources and external contractors is moving forward quickly.

"2026 might seem like a long way in the future, but in engineering terms, it's really just around the corner.”

Aston Martin Campus Update

The director also revealed that the team's new "game changer" campus will begin to show its full potential by 2025:

“As the regulations currently stand, teams will have to develop a car that is very aero efficient to compensate for the new power unit.

"It's a challenge, but every team is in the same situation. It's up to us to do a better job than the others.

"It's a big part of everything we hope to achieve. When I joined the team the new campus didn't even exist, so I've been able to have an input into shaping our future facilities. I recall when we were looking at the layout of the R&D testing areas and various rigs.

"We spent a lot of our time looking at the building layout, the equipment specifications in great detail, and even the type of foundations. The first phase of the new campus is complete and it's an incredible place to work and there is more to come.

"I believe we'll start to see the full potential of the new campus by the beginning of 2025.

"We'll have our new gearbox dynos fully operational, and the new wind tunnel will be ready in the second half of next year. All in all, it'll be a game-changer.”