McLaren Electronic Systems
McLaren Electronic Systems was a McLaren technology business specializing in electronic control systems, software, sensors and data technologies for motorsport and automotive applications.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
McLaren Electronic Systems was the electronic-systems arm of McLaren's technology businesses and became known internationally for supplying control electronics and associated software to high-level motorsport. Its work developed from McLaren's broader engineering and racing activities into a specialist business serving racing series, vehicle manufacturers and other demanding industrial customers. The company is particularly associated with electronic control units used in motorsport. It supplied the standardized electronic control unit used by Formula One teams from 2008 and later secured extensions to continue supplying Formula One's standard ECU through the 2026–2030 period. The company also supplied control systems for IndyCar and NASCAR Cup Series competition, where standardized electronics were introduced during major changes in engine-control and fuel-injection technology. Its motorsport portfolio extended beyond ECUs to software, sensors, telemetry-related systems and other components. McLaren Electronic Systems also produced the electric motor, transmission and power electronics for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E used in the inaugural Formula E season. The business was connected to the wider restructuring of McLaren's technology operations. McLaren Composites and TAG Electronics were brought together after the sale of Audiolab and the resulting reorganization of TAG Electronics Holdings. The combined activities evolved into McLaren Applied Technologies, later shortened to McLaren Applied. The earlier McLaren Electronic Systems identity is therefore best understood as a historical operating and brand identity within the business that became McLaren Applied, rather than as an unrelated company. Beyond racing, the business applied its expertise to automotive electronics, vehicle electrification, industrial data and connectivity. Automotive activities have included high-performance inverters and other electrification components, while later work has included communications products for difficult operating environments such as public transport and mining. The broader McLaren Applied organization also undertook projects involving Olympic sports, bicycles, pharmaceutical and consumer-goods manufacturing, energy production and data-center infrastructure. The business ceased to be part of McLaren Group when McLaren Group sold McLaren Applied to the private investment firm Greybull Capital in 2021, amid financial pressure associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Under its new ownership, the company received investment in facilities, products and personnel. In August 2025, the business announced a rebrand as Motion Applied. McLaren Electronic Systems consequently remains an important historical name for the technology operation, while current activities are associated with McLaren Applied and, subsequently, Motion Applied.
History
McLaren Electronic Systems emerged from McLaren's expansion of its racing expertise into specialized electronic engineering. The operation became associated with the design and production of electronic control systems, software, sensors and data technologies able to function under the severe reliability, thermal and vibration requirements of professional motorsport. Its history is linked to the broader reorganization of McLaren's technology companies. McLaren Composites initially concentrated on composite parts, including components for the McLaren F1 and Mercedes-Benz SLR programs, but later broadened its engineering and manufacturing work. TAG Electronics was another McLaren-related technology business. Following the sale of Audiolab to International Audio Group, TAG Electronics Holdings was dismantled and the remaining electronics activities were combined with McLaren Composites. The resulting business developed into McLaren Applied Technologies, with McLaren Electronic Systems representing the electronics-focused heritage of that operation. Motorsport became the business's most visible field. It supplied the standardized electronic control unit adopted by Formula One from 2008, giving all teams a common control-electronics platform while allowing competition through other areas of vehicle design and performance. The company also held supply roles in IndyCar and NASCAR Cup Series racing. In IndyCar, its control-electronics involvement dates to the late 2000s; in NASCAR Cup Series competition, its systems were introduced as the series moved from carburetion to fuel injection. The company subsequently supported the first Formula E season by producing the electric motor, transmission and electronics for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E. The wider organization used the same engineering methods outside racing. It worked on Olympic performance projects for British rowing, sailing and cycling teams ahead of the 2012 London Olympics and collaborated with Specialized Bicycle Components on the S-Works plus McLaren Venge racing bicycle. It also applied manufacturing and data analysis to pharmaceutical and consumer-products production for GlaxoSmithKline. One reported production-line project reduced toothpaste product changeover time at a Maidenhead facility from 39 minutes to 15 minutes. Other projects included electronics and real-time data systems for the Ekofisk drilling operation in the North Sea, work with wind-turbine and data-center companies, and cooling and infrastructure design for IO data centers. Over time, the organization narrowed its emphasis toward motorsport, automotive electrification and communications technologies. Its automotive work came to focus especially on high-performance inverters, including the fifth-generation IPG5 platform based on an 800-volt silicon-carbide architecture. Its communications work addressed connectivity in unstable or remote environments, including public transport and mining. In September 2014, Ian Rhodes replaced Ron Dennis as chief executive. The business was dissolved under its earlier corporate structure in 2003 and replaced by McLaren Applied Technologies in 2004, according to the referenced company history. On 2 January 2020, the name was shortened to McLaren Applied. McLaren Group sold the business to Greybull Capital in 2021 during the financial disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the transaction, the independent company invested in facilities, products and staff. In August 2025, it announced the Motion Applied name, making McLaren Electronic Systems a historical identity within the lineage of the current business.
- 2025
Rebranded as Motion Applied
[1]The business announced the Motion Applied identity.
- 2023
VanMoof acquired by Lavoie
[1]Lavoie, the company's electric-scooter unit, acquired VanMoof.
- 2021
Sold to Greybull Capital
[1]McLaren Group divested the Applied business to Greybull Capital.
- 2020
Name shortened to McLaren Applied
[1]The company changed its name to McLaren Applied on 2 January.
- 2014
Ian Rhodes becomes chief executive
[1]Ian Rhodes replaced founder Ron Dennis as chief executive.
- 2012
NASCAR Cup Series electronics introduced
[1]McLaren's control electronics entered NASCAR Cup Series use during the series' transition to fuel injection.
- 2010
London Olympics performance projects
[1]The organization developed systems supporting Britain's rowing, sailing and cycling programs ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.
- 2008
Formula One standard ECU supply begins
[1]The company began supplying Formula One's standardized electronic control unit.
- 2007
IndyCar electronics supply begins
[1]McLaren's electronics business began supplying control systems to IndyCar, later becoming a standard ECU supplier.
- 2004
McLaren Applied Technologies established
[1]The successor technology organization was formed after McLaren Composites and the remaining TAG Electronics activities were combined.
Products and positioning
A high-reliability engineering and electronics specialist whose motorsport-derived control, software, data and electrification technologies are adapted for automotive and other technically demanding industries.
Motorsport electronics · 2008
Formula One Standard Electronic Control Unit
A standardized electronic control unit supplied for Formula One teams from 2008. The system provides a common control-electronics platform for the championship and forms the best-known product associated with McLaren's motorsport electronics business. The supply agreement was later extended to cover the 2026–2030 period.
Motorsport electronics · 2007
IndyCar ECU
Electronic control systems supplied to IndyCar. McLaren Applied's involvement began in the late 2000s, and its ECU became the series' standard platform after Motorola's earlier supply role.
Motorsport electronics · 2012
NASCAR Cup Series ECU
A motorsport control-electronics platform developed for NASCAR Cup Series competition as the series moved from carburetors to fuel injection. It shares a common base with the company's IndyCar ECU architecture.
Electric motorsport · 2014
Spark-Renault SRT_01E powertrain electronics
The electric motor, transmission and associated electronics produced for the Spark-Renault SRT_01E, the car used in Formula E's inaugural season.
Automotive electrification
IPG5 inverter
A fifth-generation automotive inverter platform using an 800-volt silicon-carbide architecture. The product is designed to improve efficiency, performance and control precision in electrified vehicles and has attracted orders from automotive manufacturers.
Connectivity technology
Halo300
A range of connectivity antennas intended for demanding environments, including public transport and mining. The line reflects the company's move into communications and edge-computing applications beyond motorsport.
Brand decisions
2025
Rebrand as Motion AppliedStrategyBackground
Following its separation from McLaren Group, the independent technology company continued to develop a distinct corporate identity.
Action taken
The company announced that it was rebranding as Motion Applied.
Aftermath
McLaren Electronic Systems and McLaren Applied became historical names in the company's corporate lineage.
2021
Divestment of McLaren AppliedM&ABackground
McLaren Group faced financial pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic and reviewed its business portfolio.
Action taken
McLaren Group sold McLaren Applied to Greybull Capital, making the technology business independent.
Aftermath
Greybull Capital invested in the company's facilities, products and staff. The business later adopted the Motion Applied name.
2020
Adoption of the McLaren Applied nameStrategyBackground
The technology organization had broadened beyond its earlier McLaren Composites and electronics identities.
Action taken
The company changed its name to McLaren Applied on 2 January 2020.
Aftermath
The new name positioned the business around applied engineering and technology across motorsport, automotive, transport and mining.
Recent events
- 2025
McLaren Applied extends Formula One ECU supply agreement[1]
Other
The company secured a further extension to supply Formula One's standardized electronic control unit for the 2026–2030 period.
- 2025
McLaren Applied rebrands as Motion Applied[1]
Other
The company announced a new identity, Motion Applied, marking a further step away from the McLaren Applied name.
- 2023
McLaren Applied electric-scooter unit acquires VanMoof[1]
M&A
Lavoie, the electric-scooter unit of McLaren Applied, acquired Dutch e-bike manufacturer VanMoof.
- 2021
McLaren Applied sold to Greybull Capital[1]
M&A
McLaren Group sold its Applied technology business to private investment firm Greybull Capital after financial pressure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources2 sources
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