Ella Hakkinen, daughter of Mika, to McLaren development program

Ella Hakkinen Joins McLaren Driver Development Programme

McLaren intensifies its commitment to female talent by incorporating Ella Hakkinen, daughter of the two-time Formula 1 world champion, Mika Hakkinen, into its driver development program. With only 14 years old, Ella Hakkinen has experience in karting and is preparing for her debut in single-seaters in 2027. Her father, Mika Hakkinen, Formula 1 champion in 1998 and 1999, has always envisioned 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 next season of the F1 Academy. 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

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