Caterham has confirmed Caffeine&Machine as the official title partner for the 2026 Caterham Academy Championship, marking a significant new chapter for one of the UK’s most beloved entry points into motorsport. The series will officially run as the Caffeine&Machine Caterham Academy, with the season set to begin in May 2026.
In a move that underlines the partnership’s authenticity, Caffeine&Machine Founder and Director Phil McGovern will take to the track himself, competing in all seven rounds of the championship. For the man behind one of the UK’s most vibrant automotive culture hubs, the opportunity is as personal as it is professional—a long-time dream finally realised.
A New Era for the Caterham Academy
The 2026 season also marks the debut of Caterham’s new Horse Technologies-powered Academy car, a significant evolution for the novice-focused championship. At its core is the all-new 1.3-litre “HR13” four-cylinder engine, equipped with direct injection and capable of producing 120 kW (163 PS) and 250 Nm at just 1,600 rpm. The result is a responsive, lightweight package designed to offer newcomers an authentic, undiluted motorsport experience.
Founded in 1995, the Caterham Academy has helped more than 1,400 novice drivers transition into competitive motorsport. It remains unique in offering an all-inclusive introduction: drivers receive their own road-legal Caterham Seven, technical support, expert coaching, and a guided journey from first signing on to taking the chequered flag.
The 2026 season will feature one sprint event and seven 20-minute races, with grids capped at 30 cars—ensuring close, competitive racing from the very first round.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Culture
For both brands, the collaboration is a natural alignment. Caffeine&Machine has become a cornerstone of UK automotive culture—an inclusive space where enthusiasts, racers, creatives, and industry voices meet. Caterham, too, is deeply embedded in the grassroots motorsport community, championing accessibility, authenticity and the pure joy of driving.
Speaking about the partnership, Phil McGovern said:
“For nearly 30 years the Caterham Academy has been the starting point for countless racing journeys—a championship that captures the pure thrill of motorsport. Partnering with Caterham feels like a natural step for us; their cars are icons, their community is the real deal and the experience they create is second to none.
“The Caffeine&Machine Caterham Academy marks the coming together of two communities built on a shared passion for driving, competition, and the culture that surrounds it. On a personal level, this one hits home. I’m so thrilled to be joining the grid in 2026, chasing the same dream that started it all: to go fast and be part of something bigger than myself.”
Caterham’s Head of Motorsport, Alex Read, echoed the enthusiasm:
“There’s real excitement around this partnership, and for good reason. Caterham and Caffeine&Machine sit at the heart of the UK’s automotive community, and bringing our worlds together for the 2026 Academy season feels special.
“The Caterham Academy represents the purest form of grassroots motorsport in the UK and Phil embodies what that experience is all about—enthusiasm, competition and the shared love of racing that connects us all. We’re thrilled to help Phil achieve this racing dream and look forward to seeing how he lines up on the grid next year.”
A Championship Built for First-Time Racers
Unlike any other novice series in the UK, the Caterham Academy offers a complete, structured pathway into motorsport. Participants not only learn the fundamentals of car control and race craft but also discover the community side of racing—camaraderie, competition, and shared passion.
With the backing of Caffeine&Machine, the 2026 Academy season promises to be one of the most culturally engaging yet, uniting two communities who share the same heartbeat: cars, people, and the thrill of the drive.
The Caffeine&Machine Caterham Academy officially begins May 2026.
For more information, visit the Caterham website.
