Ella Hakkinen, daughter of Mika, joins the McLaren F1 program

McLaren Signs Ella Hakkinen to its Driver Development Program

McLaren has announced the addition of Ella Hakkinen, daughter of two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen, to its driver development program. This initiative reinforces the team’s commitment to female talent in motorsport. At 14 years old, Hakkinen has experience in karting and is preparing for his debut in single-seaters in 2027.

I am immensely proud of the progress we have made in this space.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren

The announcement was made along with the incorporation of Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens, who will participate in the F1 Academy next season. McLaren will become the first F1 team to enter two cars in the series. Lloyd is already competing on the grid this year, while Stevens prepares for his debut after leading the inaugural rookie test. McLaren CEO Zak Brown expressed his pride in the progress in female representation in motorsport. Brown hopes this will motivate talented women in karting, engineering, and other areas of the sport. McLaren has sealed its second consecutive F1 constructors’ title this year, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri competing for the drivers’ title.