Greene Tweed has announced the development and deployment of its Metal-Spring-Energized (MSE) seals for McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team’s limited-slip differential clutch pack.
McLaren turned to Greene Tweed for an advanced sealing solution for the hydraulic actuator that clamps the friction clutch inside the differential. This system optimizes torque distribution for maximum traction and cornering speed. Seal integrity is paramount, as leakage could cause a catastrophic loss of system function and force the car to be retired.
“This project was a true example of collaborative engineering at its best,” said Matthew James, director of engineering and product design at Greene Tweed. “Our teams worked side by side to validate seal behavior under real operating conditions, refining the design through testing and iteration. The result is a robust, leak-free sealing solution that supports McLaren’s pursuit of marginal gains while meeting the long-term demands of Formula 1 racing.”
Greene Tweed developed two MSE seal assemblies featuring a unique C-shaped profile and a corrosion-resistant metal spring to provide uniform sealing force. 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 – the seals use Greene Tweed’s proprietary Avalon 44 (PTFE). This material ensures superior wear resistance, high strength and low friction.
“Given Greene Tweed’s longstanding reputation for excellent quality, choosing them was an obvious choice for us,” said James Manning, head of transmission at McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team. “The MSE Seal has consistently demonstrated its durability and reliability within our system. We’re confident this is only the beginning of a long-term collaboration to drive even greater performance in future seasons.”
Following testing on a dynamic transmission test rig, Greene Tweed and McLaren engineers have successfully qualified the next-generation MSE sealing system for the 2026 season. This more robust version, reinforced with backup ring support and a 301SS finger spring, has enabled McLaren to develop a more compact version of its system for future performance gains.
In related news, Xtrac boosts transmission systems production with £1m machining investment
