Motul Expands Technical Partnership With McLaren Racing
The oil manufacturer will support McLaren Racing's Formula 1 efforts and its upcoming 2027 World Endurance Championship entry.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Motorsports
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Motul has expanded its technical partnership with McLaren Racing to include both the Formula 1 season and the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar programme. This collaboration aims to enhance mechanical efficiency and transmission reliability for the team's race car fleet.
Why it matters
The partnership focuses on optimizing mechanical efficiency and transmission performance during the high-stress conditions of a Grand Prix. This technical development serves as a precursor to McLaren Racing's entry into the WEC.
Development of the bespoke lubricant formulation involved more than 40 separate tests over a nine-month period. The work utilized a mobile Racing Lab to monitor fluid samples and evaluate mechanical wear.
The players
Motul
This company is a French manufacturer of high-performance motor oils and industrial lubricants with a long history in motorsports.
McLaren Racing
This British motor racing team competes in several major series, including Formula 1 and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The details
Research and development teams from Motul in France and Japan worked alongside McLaren Racing at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, United Kingdom, to create the new lubricants. The project focuses on supplying the MCL40 gearbox and differential for the 2026 F1 season while preparing for the 2027 WEC Hypercar debut.
Timeline
1954: Motul begins its association with the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
2016: Motul establishes an official lubricant partnership with the FIA WEC.
2026: Motul supplies lubricants for the McLaren MCL40 F1 car.
2027: Motul supplies lubricants for McLaren Racing's WEC Hypercar programme.
Season Trajectory
This partnership expansion builds upon the legacy established by the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship lubricant partnership. It strategically positions McLaren Racing to utilize advanced technical data as it prepares for the competitive 2027 WEC Hypercar season.
The collaboration directly impacts the reliability of the McLaren MCL40 gearbox and differential throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season. Fans tracking team performance can monitor the efficacy of these technical upgrades in upcoming Grand Prix race results.
The takeaway
Technical partnerships remain a critical factor in maintaining transmission reliability during long-distance endurance racing. Teams that successfully integrate bespoke fluid development often see improved mechanical endurance during intense race cycles.
Further reading
For more developments in racing technology, visit Motorsports.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ESA - Extreme Sports Action.
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