- Caterham has partnered with Horse Technologies, as the new supplier of the 2026 Caterham Academy Championship engine.
- The turbocharged, four-cylinder HR13 engine will replace the current Ford Sigma engine.
- The Caterham Academy is Europe’s largest factory-backed racing championship, designed exclusively for creating rookie race drivers.
Dartford, Wednesday, 9 April 2025 – Caterham has signed a formal agreement with Horse Technologies, a division of Horse Powertrain, who will become the new supplier of engines for the Caterham Academy Championship from 2026 onwards.
The 2026 Caterham Academy car will be powered by Horse Technologies’ 1.3 litre, four-cylinder HR13 turbocharged engine. The petrol engine with bespoke tuning, is expected to deliver 130bhp (132PS) and a peak torque of 176Nm at 5,150rpm.
Horse Technologies is a division of Horse Powertrain – a global joint venture between Renault, Geely and Aramco – that develops and manufacturers next-generation hybrid and combustion engines and systems. Along with complete powertrains, Horse Technologies also produces cutting-edge engines, gearboxes, motors, batteries, and power electronics systems.
The HR13 engine replaces the outgoing Ford Sigma engine, which has powered the Caterham Academy series since 2008.
Originally established in 1995, the Caterham Academy remains the championship for rookie racing drivers in the UK. To date, over 1,400 new drivers have been introduced to competitive motorsport through this renowned racing series.
The all-inclusive Caterham Academy package offers drivers their own road-legal Caterham Seven, a full championship of seven races and one sprint, two exclusive practice days, their racing licence one-day course, trackside technical support and the experienced teams’ guidance throughout the duration of the series. Across the Championship, drivers learn the art of car control, race craft and the joys of the camaraderie of racing – something no other rookie championship offers in the UK.
Bob Laishley, CEO, Caterham said: “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.”
Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Powertrain, said: “Caterham is an iconic brand in the automotive and racing world, with an incredibly rich history. Our team at Horse Powertrain and Horse Technologies are very excited to be working with them for the 2026 Academy Series. Supplying our HR13 engine for the championship is a unique opportunity for us to play a part in discovering the next generation of racing talent.”
Finance options for the 2026 Caterham Academy are now available through Caterham Financial Services, making it easier than ever to start your racing journey. With limited places remaining, visit the Caterham website for more details on how to secure your place on the motorsport grid for next season.