McLaren expands female talent programme by two cars

McLaren increases stake in F1 Academy

McLaren is putting two cars into the F1 Academy next season. This is a clear expansion of their female talent programme. The team is thus strengthening its driver development line-up.

Riders and plans

Ella Lloyd remains on board for a second season in the F1 Academy. She took one win this year and is currently third in the championship.

New to the F1 Academy is Ella Stevens. She belongs to the McLaren Driver Development programme. Stevens finished second in the British KZ2 karting championship this year. She was also fastest in the first F1A rookie test. She will make the move to single-seaters in 2026.

In addition, 14-year-old Ella Hakkinen joins the McLaren programme. She is the daughter of two-time world champion Mika Häkkinen. Hakkinen is not yet stepping directly into cars. McLaren sees this as a two-year preparation path towards single-seaters in 2027.

• Both McLaren cars are operated by Rodin Motorsport.
• The second car will run under the name F1 Academy McLaren Oxagon.
• Stevens: KZ2 runner-up and best in rookie test; single-seaters from 2026.
• Lloyd: one win and currently third in the standings.
• Hakkinen: 14 years, two years of preparation, not expected in single-seaters until 2027.

Broader policies and rules

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, says there is still work to do to get more women into motorsport. He hopes McLaren's efforts will send a signal to female karters, drivers, mechanics, engineers, marketers and accountants. The goal is clear: keep the sport open and maintain its recent growth.

It was also recently confirmed that all 10 Formula 1 teams have renewed their multi-year support for the F1 Academy. Cadillac, which will compete in Formula 1 in 2026, has indicated it will also become a sponsor on the F1 Academy grid in 2027.

In addition, a rule about driver terms is changing. Until now, there was a maximum participation of two seasons in the F1 Academy. From 2027, drivers who participated in 2025 and 2026 will get an exception to drive a third season. This should ensure a wider talent pool.

What does this mean?

McLaren is now structurally investing in different phases of development: experienced talent (Lloyd), fast karters who move on (Stevens) and young drivers who are slowly being groomed (Hakkinen). Whether this is successful will be seen in the coming seasons. For now, the intention is clear: more space and opportunities for women in motorsport.