Why the differences between the Mercedes and McLaren F1 gearboxes matter

Times change quickly. In recent years, there had been extensive discussion about making the gearbox a standard component for all teams to reduce costs, as it was increasingly viewed as no longer being a decisive performance factor in Formula 1. Yet, with the 2026 regulation overhaul, the gearbox once again became a central aspect of car design. The clearest example is the contrast between.