Archive · 17 Nov 2025
McLaren Signs Mika Hakkinen's Daughter Ella to Driver Development Program
McLaren, a famous race car team, has welcomed a new young driver named Ella Hakkinen to their development program.
Ella is 14 years old and her dad, Mika Hakkinen, used to be a world champion race car driver for McLaren a long time ago!
This is exciting because Ella is very talented and has already won races in smaller go-karts.
She will start practicing in special race cars soon, with a big goal for the future.
Another driver named Ella Stevens is also joining to race in a special competition for women called F1 Academy.
McLaren is happy to have these talented young women on their team and hopes to see more girls in racing.
McLaren has signed 14-year-old Ella Hakkinen, daughter of former F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen, to its Driver Development Programme.
Ella Hakkinen has shown promise in karting, with wins and podium finishes across Europe.
Ella Stevens, 19, will race for McLaren in the F1 Academy, with both F1 Academy cars run by Rodin Motorsport.
McLaren's CEO highlighted the team's commitment to increasing female representation in motorsport.
Ella Hakkinen is slated to begin single-seater testing with a long-term plan targeting 2027.
- Who
- McLaren, Ella Hakkinen (daughter of Mika Hakkinen), Ella Stevens, Ella Lloyd
- What
- McLaren has added Ella Hakkinen to its Driver Development Programme, alongside Ella Stevens who will race in F1 Academy. The team now has three young female drivers in its program.
- When
- November 17, 2025
- Where
- McLaren Racing
- Why
- To boost female talent and representation in motorsport.
Optimism for Female Representation
Acknowledgement of Progress
Female Participation in Motorsport
Optimism for Female Representation
Mika Hakkinen suggested Ella could become Formula One's first female driver since 1976, indicating a potential for greater female involvement.
Acknowledgement of Progress
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown acknowledged that more needs to be done to increase female representation in motorsport, while expressing pride in the team's current progress.
- Driver Development Programme Additions
- Ella Hakkinen, Ella Stevens, Ella Lloyd
- Ella Hakkinen's Age
- 14
- Mika Hakkinen's Championships
- 1998, 1999
- Ella Stevens' F1 Academy Role
- To race for McLaren in F1 Academy, run by Rodin Motorsport
- Ella Hakkinen's Testing Plan
- Single-seater testing starting as part of a long-term plan aimed toward 2027