Ella Hakkinen, daughter of Mika, joins McLaren’s development program

Ella Hakkinen Joins McLaren Driver Development Programme

The McLaren team strengthens its commitment to female talent by incorporating Ella Hakkinen, daughter of two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen, into its driver development program. With only 14 years old, Hakkinen has experience in karting, and joins the program in preparation for his debut in single-seaters in 2027. Mika Hakkinen, father of Ella, won two F1 world titles in 1998 and 1999, and has long predicted a promising career for his daughter in motorsport.

From left to right: Ella Hakkinen, Ella Stevens, and Ella Lloyd join McLaren’s driver development program.The announcement was made on Monday, along with 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, with Lloyd already competing on the grid this year, while Stevens prepares for her debut after leading the inaugural rookie test.

Although I recognize that there is still much to be done to increase female representation in motorsport, I am immensely proud of the progress we have made in this space.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren

McLaren achieved its second consecutive F1 constructors’ title this year, and drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are competing for the drivers’ title.