Get ready for an exciting chapter in the world of Formula 1! McLaren has just dropped a major announcement that's sure to spark some heated debates. The future of racing is here, and it's female!
McLaren is taking a bold step forward by expanding their presence in the F1 ACADEMY series for the 2026 season. They're not just doubling down; they're tripling their efforts! Joining the returning Ella Lloyd, who's currently sitting third in the 2025 standings with an impressive win and four podiums, is the newly recruited Ella Stevens. Stevens, a fellow Briton, has proven her mettle by becoming the Vice-Champion in the 2025 British KZ2 Karting Championship. And if that wasn't enough, she dominated the timesheets during the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test in September. Talk about a powerhouse duo!
But here's where it gets even more intriguing: McLaren has added another Ella to their roster - Ella Hakkinen, the 14-year-old daughter of two-time F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen. Hakkinen is one of the nine karters supported by F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE in the Champions of the Future Academy Program, making her the youngest talent in McLaren's junior roster. She'll be testing single-seaters in preparation for the 2027 season, a move that's sure to turn heads.
Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, shared his thoughts on this exciting development: "While we acknowledge that there's still a long way to go in terms of increasing female representation in motorsport, we're incredibly proud of the progress we've made so far. I hope this sends a clear message to all the talented women out there - our sport is inclusive, and we're committed to maintaining the incredible momentum we've gained over the past few years. There are countless opportunities both on and off the track, and we're grateful to NEOM for partnering with us to create more pathways for women. Having three talented young female drivers in our Driver Development Programme is truly exciting, and I can't wait to see them take on the track."
And this is the part most people miss: McLaren's collaboration with NEOM will see both entries operated by Rodin Motorsport. The second McLaren Racing entry, piloted by the talented 19-year-old Stevens, will be known as F1 ACADEMY McLaren Oxagon. It's a powerful partnership that's sure to shake up the racing world.
So, what do you think? Is McLaren's expanded line-up a step towards a more inclusive future in motorsport? Or is it just a clever marketing strategy? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Let's spark a conversation and keep the momentum going!
