Overview
- McLaren will field two F1 Academy cars in 2026, both operated by Rodin Motorsport, with one entry running under the McLaren Oxagon banner in partnership with NEOM.
- Ella Stevens joins the Driver Development Programme and will make her single-seater debut in 2026 driving the McLaren Oxagon car.
- Ella Lloyd continues with McLaren for a second F1 Academy season and is currently third in the 2025 standings with one win and four further podiums.
- Fourteen-year-old Ella Hakkinen becomes the programme’s youngest member and will begin single-seater testing in preparation for a planned 2027 step into cars.
- McLaren positions the expansion as a commitment to growing female participation as F1 Academy secures multi-year team backing and plans 2027 eligibility changes to permit a third season for specific drivers.