McLaren Strengthens Driver Development with New Female Talent, Including Hakkinen's Daughter

McLaren has announced the significant expansion of its Driver Development Programme by welcoming two promising female talents, including Ella Hakkinen, daughter of two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen. This move underscores McLaren's commitment to fostering diversity and nurturing future motorsport stars, with a particular focus on empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated sport.

Why it matters:

• McLaren's recruitment of Ella Hakkinen, at just 14 years old, marks her as the youngest female driver to join the program, highlighting a long-term investment in raw talent and a potential future F1 legacy.
• The addition of Ella Stevens, a recent Vice-Champion in the British KZ2 Karting Championship, alongside F1 Academy driver Ella Lloyd, solidifies McLaren's presence in the all-female F1 Academy series, signaling serious intent to develop female drivers for top-tier motorsport.
• This initiative, supported by NEOM, represents a broader push within Formula 1 to create more opportunities and pathways for women in all aspects of motorsport, from drivers to engineers and beyond.

The details:

• Ella Hakkinen's Debut: At only 14, Ella Hakkinen becomes the youngest female driver ever inducted into McLaren's Driver Development Programme. Her primary objective is to gain experience in single-seaters, with an eye towards competing in 2027.
  • She has already made a name for herself by securing her first major international victory at the 2024 Champions of the Future Academy in Cremona, followed by multiple wins and podium finishes across Europe.
• Ella Stevens's Arrival: Stevens, who recently finished as Vice-Champion in the 2025 British KZ2 Karting Championship, made history as the only woman to win in the UK's premier karting category. She will join Ella Lloyd in the F1 Academy next year, representing McLaren.
• Zak Brown's Vision: McLaren CEO Zak Brown emphasized the progress made in increasing female representation in motorsport, stating his pride in the strides taken and his hope that these announcements inspire talented women across all roles in the sport.
  • Brown highlighted that the sport is "open to all" and deeply committed to maintaining the momentum seen in recent years regarding diversity.
• Strategic Partnership: The collaboration with NEOM is crucial in opening more pathways for women in motorsport, reinforcing McLaren's dedication to creating a more inclusive environment.

What's next:

With three talented young female drivers now in its Driver Development Programme, McLaren is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of motorsport talent. The focus will now be on providing Hakkinen and Stevens with the necessary resources and training to progress through the ranks.

• Ella Hakkinen's journey will be closely watched as she aims for single-seater testing, potentially echoing her father's legendary career.
• Stevens's and Lloyd's participation in the F1 Academy next year will be key indicators of McLaren's success in developing competitive female drivers ready for higher categories.
• This ongoing commitment is expected to encourage other F1 teams and motorsport organizations to further invest in similar initiatives, driving a more diverse and inclusive future for the sport.