Horse Technologies, a division of global powertrain innovator Horse Powertrain, has been named the exclusive engine supplier for the 2026 Caterham Academy Championship—Britain’s most revered entry-level racing series for novice drivers. In a landmark agreement, Caterham’s next-generation race cars will be powered by the cutting-edge 1.3-litre ‘HR13’ engine, marking a bold evolution in the Academy’s pursuit of accessible, high-performance motorsport.
The partnership marks a pivotal moment for both brands: for Caterham, it reinforces a 30-year legacy of cultivating grassroots motorsport talent; for Horse Technologies, it’s a world-first application of its HR13 engine in competitive racing—a testament to its growing influence in the high-performance, low-emission powertrain space.
Engineering the Future of Racing
At the heart of this collaboration lies the HR13 engine—a lightweight, turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder unit featuring direct injection and bespoke tuning. Delivering a robust 130bhp (132PS) and 176Nm of torque at 5,150rpm, the HR13 is engineered not just for efficiency and responsiveness, but for sheer driving excitement.
With a delta-shaped cylinder head designed to optimise weight distribution and thermal management, and exhaust manifolds cast directly into the cylinder head to boost turbo responsiveness, the HR13 is precision-crafted to elevate the Caterham driving experience. This thoughtful engineering aligns perfectly with the Academy’s reputation for raw, unfiltered, driver-focused racing.
The HR13 engine is produced at Horse Technologies’ Valladolid Motores plant in Spain—one of 17 manufacturing sites backed by five R&D centres under the Horse Powertrain umbrella. This global footprint ensures not only performance and reliability, but also scalable innovation that adapts to the future of motorsport and mobility.
A Championship with Purpose
Since its inception in 1995, the Caterham Academy has helped more than 1,400 aspiring racers make the leap from road to racetrack. Offering a turnkey experience that includes track days, driver coaching, and race-ready vehicles, the series is more than a championship—it’s a rite of passage for those who dream of racing.
Now, with Horse Technologies on board, the Academy is positioned to offer an even more engaging and technologically advanced platform for rookie drivers.
Bob Laishley, CEO of Caterham, commented:
“The Caterham Academy has successfully introduced more than 1,400 rookie racing drivers to motorsport in the UK over the last 30 years. We’re very pleased to confirm our new partnership with Horse Technologies and look forward to working with their team on the introduction of this new turbo engine to our competitive rookie series from next season.”
A Shared Vision of Performance and Progress
For Horse Technologies, the Caterham Academy represents a new frontier—where cutting-edge engineering meets the visceral world of motorsport.
Patrice Haettel, CEO of Horse Technologies, shared his excitement:
“We are very proud to see our technology achieve this new milestone. This collaboration with Caterham is a world-first application of the Horse Technologies HR13 engine to the world of racing, and reflects the performance, reliability, and expertise that drive everything we do.”
Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain, echoed the sentiment:
“It’s a privilege for us to supply our HR13 engine for the 2026 Caterham Academy Championship. Caterham is an iconic brand in the automotive and racing world, with a rich history and this is a unique opportunity to collaborate in their mission to discover the next generation of racing talent.”
Looking Ahead
As Caterham’s beloved Academy series gears up for its 2026 season, the inclusion of the HR13 engine signals a new era for grassroots motorsport. By blending technical innovation with an unwavering commitment to driver development, the partnership between Caterham and Horse Technologies sets the stage for an electrifying future—on track and beyond.
In a world where motorsport is evolving rapidly, this alliance proves that performance, accessibility, and sustainability can—and should—go hand in hand.
