Ella Hakkinen, daughter of Mika, to McLaren development program

McLaren Signs Mika Häkkinen’s Daughter to its Development Program

McLaren intensifies its commitment to female talent by incorporating Ella Häkkinen, daughter of the two-time Formula 1 world champion, Mika Häkkinen, into its driver development program. With only 14 years old, young Häkkinen has limited experience in karting, but joins the program with a view to her debut in single-seaters in 2027. His father, Mika Häkkinen, conquered two F1 drivers’ titles in 1998 and 1999, and has long envisioned a promising career for his daughter in motorsport.

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 area.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren

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