Legendary wheel manufacturer returns as Official Supplier to the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team
McLaren Racing has announced the return of Enkei Corporation as an Official Supplier to the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team for the 2026 Formula 1 season, renewing a partnership rooted in precision engineering, performance, and more than two decades of shared motorsport history.
The partnership between McLaren and Enkei began in 1995, with Enkei supplying lightweight, high-performance wheels that supported multiple generations of McLaren’s Formula 1 cars for 26 years.
With the introduction of standardised wheels in Formula 1, the technical partnership reached a natural pause. However, as the sport prepares for the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations, the two organisations are set to reunite and combine their expertise in high-performance engineering once again.
For the 2026 season, Enkei will design and manufacture forged magnesium wheels, engineered for strength, efficiency, and reliability under the demands of Formula 1 competition. This technology enhances weight reduction, stiffness, and durability, key to on-track performance.
Neil Houldey, Executive Director and Technical Director of Applied Engineering at McLaren Racing, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome Enkei to the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team. Their history of technical excellence in motorsport and focus on high performance will play an important role in taking the MCL40 to the track this season. Using Enkei products is a technically driven collaboration designed to extract every possible performance advantage with a focus on continuous improvement and technological advances. We look forward to working closely with Enkei throughout this exciting partnership.”
Makato Miura, President of Enkei Corporation, added:
“The 26-year journey we shared with the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team from 1995 to 2021 remains an invaluable chapter in ENKEI’s history. We are profoundly honoured to return as an Official Supplier, once again demonstrating the true calibre of Enkei Wheels on the world’s premier racing stage. As we look toward an even brighter future, ENKEI is proud to take this next step forward alongside the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team.”
The renewed partnership between McLaren and Enkei celebrates a proven legacy and signals a focused pursuit of future performance as the 2026 Formula 1 season draws near.