Motul Expanded Technical Partnership With McLaren Racing
The lubricant supplier will extend its reach into McLaren's endurance racing efforts starting in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Motorsports
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Motul has broadened its technical agreement with McLaren Racing to include the team's World Endurance Championship Hypercar programme. This expansion builds on Motul's existing role supplying gearbox and differential lubricants for McLaren's Formula 1 cars.
Why it matters
The partnership allows Motul to integrate its lubricant technology across both Formula 1 and endurance racing platforms. By supplying specialized products for high-performance transmissions, Motul aims to enhance mechanical efficiency and reliability in extreme racing conditions.
Motul spent nine months developing the 2714E gear oil, which has been utilized in the McLaren MCL40 gearbox and differential since the start of the 2026 season. This project involved over 40 distinct performance tests at the McLaren Technology Centre.
The players
Motul
This French company specializes in the formulation, production, and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants for various motorized vehicles.
McLaren Racing
Based in Woking, this British motor racing team competes in major global series including Formula 1 and endurance championships.
The details
Research teams in France and Japan collaborated to develop the specialized fluid intended to maintain transmission reliability during Grand Prix events. Motul will provide ongoing technical support to the racing team through a mobile laboratory that performs real-time analysis of fluid samples.
Timeline
1954: Motul began its involvement in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2016: The company became an official lubricant partner of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
2026 season: Motul began supplying gearbox and differential lubricant for F1 cars.
2027 season: Motul will begin supplying lubricants for the McLaren Hypercar programme.
Season Trajectory
This partnership deepens the technical integration between McLaren and its lubricant suppliers to gain a competitive edge in high-stakes racing. It positions the team to better manage the demanding power and cooling requirements of the 2027 Hypercar season.
The supply of 2714E gear oil marks a critical update to the technical specifications of the McLaren MCL40. Fans of endurance racing can expect Motul to play a central role in the reliability of the new Hypercar fleet beginning in 2027.
The takeaway
Motul's multi-decade involvement in endurance racing provides the foundation for its current high-performance engineering collaborations. The firm continues to leverage data gathered from professional racing environments to iterate and improve its commercial lubricant technologies.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of international racing, visit Motorsports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NST Online.
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