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Jun 12, 2023

The 'horrendous' cost Aston Martin want eliminating from F1

Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack has called for the Formula 1 budget cap

Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack has called for the Formula 1 budget cap regulations surrounding gearboxes to be simplified amid "horrendous" costs.

Krack believes that the gearbox is not a performance differentiator and as such should not be included under certain budget cap rules.

"If you look at the gearbox these days, and you compare it with other motorsport categories, the gearbox is not a performance differentiator anymore," he told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"Everybody has more or less the same performance from the gearbox, but the cost for a gearbox is horrendous, especially if you compare it to other categories.

"So, in a cost cap world it's a question I think you have to ask, if it makes sense that you go with such complicated technology if there is no difference in performance, so every team is just writing off eight to nine million a year for gearboxes, where there is no performance difference at all."

Krack says that there have been discussions with the FIA about simplifying the issue.

"We have been in talks with the FIA [over] if it does not make sense to go simpler, go more cost effective on gearboxes, with more simple technology, and also maybe less units per year that you would need, in an attempt to just make the whole sport more sustainable," he continued.

"Because, say the sum of the paddock is over 100 million a year, you could ask yourself, is that needed, if you look at other categories?

"So that was the reason why we are in talks and why I think, as a sport, we have to ask these questions and think about is it making sense that we make the whole thing a bit more simple."

While Krack thinks that some form of standardisation could be an option, he does not believe that having a standard gearbox for all teams is necessary.

"The list could be long [in how to achieve a cost reduction]," the team boss explained.

"But I think there can be a healthy compromise between keeping some kind of technology, like Formula 1 differentials, for example, which are unique compared to other categories.

"But seamless [shift] is something that you can discuss, the amount of gears you can discuss or size or introduce some level of standardisation. It's possible.

"I would not go as far as saying a common gearbox for everybody but, design specification or stuff like that, just to cut the cost down."

When asked if the team could create their own gearbox in time for 2025, Krack suggested that this is not an intention given that the squad's contract with Mercedes covers up until the end of that year.

Aston Martin's new partnership with Honda then begins in 2026.

On the gearbox question, Krack responded: "In theory we could [make our own for 2025], obviously, but we are contracted to our current partner until '26.

"We must also not forget, you have to make and buy in a cost cap world, so that is something that you always have to keep in mind.

"It will be a challenge to do our own gearbox and it will be a challenge to achieve the levels that we have today, if we are humble and frank with ourselves.

"So I think, time-wise, it would be quite tough to try and do this already for '25."