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McLaren Signs Ella Hakkinen and Ella Stevens, Expands Female Driver Pathway for 2026 F1 Academy

The move deepens McLaren’s commitment to developing female talent by building a structured route from karting into single-seaters.

Overview

  • McLaren added 14-year-old Ella Hakkinen and 19-year-old Ella Stevens to its Driver Development Programme, with Hakkinen the youngest member.
  • The team will field two entries in the 2026 F1 Academy, run by Rodin Motorsport, including a McLaren Oxagon car in collaboration with partner NEOM for Stevens.
  • Ella Lloyd will continue with McLaren in F1 Academy for a second full season and is currently third in the standings with one win and four additional podiums.
  • McLaren says Hakkinen will begin single-seater testing as preparation for a potential step into car racing in 2027.
  • Stevens will make her single-seater debut in 2026 after a standout karting year that included British KZ2 runner-up and topping an F1 Academy rookie test.