By Carlo Platella
McLaren belongs to that long tradition of English teams that Enzo Ferrari nicknamed “garagisti”, despising their choice to buy engines from outside without making them in-house. Over the years, the historic Woking team has taken part in numerous competitions, from Formula 1 to Endurance, passing through IndyCar, without however ever losing its identity as a customer team. In England though the big step is now being consideredwhich could materialize in Formula E with the debut of the fourth generation cars at the end of 2026.
Commitment to Formula E
McLaren has expanded its sporting programs in 2023, taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the exit of world champion Mercedes from Formula E. During the changeover, Ian James has always remained at the helm of the team, who now renews McLaren's intention to continue in the electric category: “We absolutely are determined to commit ourselves to Formula E. It's a growing category. Even just looking at the beginning of this season, engagement and ratings are moving in the right direction. The calendar is also important. There are competitions that we have been playing for some time now, but also new venues.”
“Formula E is moving in the right direction,” continues the Team Principal. “We are also in contact with the FIA to define the path for the future. As it is being born, Gen4 will be a significant step up from Gen3. It's exciting from a sporting point of view, which is McLaren's raison d'être.” While making these statements, Ian James was joined by McLaren CEO Zak Brown, present at the Diriyah E-Prix, who confirmed his words.
The future
Upon entry into Formula E, McLaren entered into a partnership with Nissan, purchasing its powertrain. The team will also renew the collaboration for the next two years, thus ensuring the advanced powertrain that the Japanese company will introduce in 2025. James explains: “We are currently a client team. We have a collaboration with Nissan that we are very happy with and which will continue throughout the Gen3 program.” However, when asked explicitly whether McLaren is considering a commitment as a constructor in the next technical era, the Team Principal did not rule out this possibility: “It's hard to say what will happen with Gen4. However, I can say that as a team, given how we are structured, we would be able to increase the value and influence to bring into the development process”.
The division McLaren Applied it would have all the technologies and skills necessary to develop its own powertrain, making the Formula E car the first McLaren-powered car in history. The British company has already developed the batteries during the Gen2 era, also supplying the electric motor to all participants during the first season of Formula E, when technical development was not yet open. For the next regulatory cycle of the Gen4, the FIA has already assigned the task of supplying the batteries to Podium Advanced Technologies, while the front engine will be manufactured by Marelli. McLaren would therefore be free from any conflicts of interest if it decided to take the field as an engine engineer.
However, there is also another option. The words of Ian James, who speaks of McLaren being able to exercise greater influence during the powertrain development process, could hide the desire to tie up with a new external manufacturer, but in a relationship of exclusive collaboration. The team could then assert its needs in the design, in order to achieve better integration between powertrain and car. However, the Woking company could go even further, collaborating with an external manufacturer and at the same time exploiting the resources of the Applied division to concretely contribute to the development of the motor, inverter and transmission. The issues will be resolved in the coming months, when manufacturers interested in the Gen4 regulations will have to notify their intentions to the FIA. McLaren takes its time, with the awareness that the transition from private team to engine manufacturer would be a historic first for the brand.
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