McLaren taps Greene Tweed sealing technology for F1 car

Lansdale, Pennsylvania – McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team has adopted Greene Tweed’s metal-spring-energised (MSE) seals for use in the hydraulic actuator of its limited-slip differential clutch pack.

The sealing system is used in the actuator that clamps the friction clutch inside the differential, said Greene Tweed in an 11 Feb announcement.

The system, it explained, optimises torque distribution for maximum traction and cornering speed and seal integrity is paramount in the system, as significant leakage would cause "a catastrophic loss of system function and force the car to be retired."

As part of the project, Greene Tweed developed two MSE seal assemblies with a C-shaped profile and a corrosion-resistant metal spring to provide a “uniform sealing force.”

The seals, produced with Greene Tweed’s Avalon 44 PTFE materials, are designed to operate under the application’s extreme conditions, including temperatures up to 150°C, pressures from 5 to 250 bar, and exposure to aggressive fluids, said the US supplier.

The PTFE material ensures “superior wear resistance, high strength, and low friction, meeting the exacting demands of mission-critical industries.”

Greene Tweed said the project involved joint validation and testing under race conditions before the system was approved for use.

“Our teams worked side-by-side to validate seal behaviour under real operating conditions…. The result is a robust, leak-free sealing solution,” said Matthew James, director of engineering and product design at Greene Tweed.

Also commenting, James Manning, head of transmission at McLaren, said the seals had “consistently demonstrated” durability and reliability within the system.

“We’re confident this is only the beginning of a long-term collaboration to drive even greater performance in future seasons,” said Manning.

Furthermore, Greene Tweed said that following testing on a dynamic transmission rig, the partners have also qualified “a next-generation MSE sealing system” for the 2026 season.

The updated design incorporates a backup ring and finger spring, allowing for a more compact differential system layout.