McLaren confirm expanded 2026 F1 ACADEMY line-up while adding Ella Hakkinen to driver development programme

McLaren have announced they are entering a second car into the all-female F1 ACADEMY series for the 2026 season, with Ella Lloyd returning for a second campaign alongside new recruit Ella Stevens.

Lloyd sits third in the 2025 standings with one win and four further podiums ahead of the season finale in Las Vegas. Fellow Briton Stevens recently became the Vice-Champion in the 2025 British KZ2 Karting Championship and is the only woman to win in the UK’s premier karting class. In September, she topped the timesheets in the inaugural F1 ACADEMY Rookie Test.

McLaren’s added commitment to the series will be delivered in collaboration with long-standing partner NEOM. Both entries will be operated by Rodin Motorsport, with the second McLaren Racing entry, piloted by 19-year-old Stevens, known as F1 ACADEMY McLaren Oxagon.

In addition, Ella Hakkinen, daughter of two-time F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen, has joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme. The 14-year-old, who is one of nine karters supported by F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE in the Champions of the Future Academy Program, has become the youngest talent in their junior roster and will be testing single-seaters in preparation for 2027.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, said: “While I recognise that more remains to be done to increase female representation in motorsport, I’m immensely proud of the progress we’ve made in this space.

“I hope this signals to all the amazingly talented female karters, drivers, engineers, mechanics, marketeers and accountants out there that our sport is open to all and deeply committed to keeping up the incredible momentum we have seen over the past few years.

“There are so many opportunities both at and away from track and I want to thank NEOM for partnering with us in this space to help us open more pathways for women.

“To now have three talented young female drivers in our Driver Development Programme is really exciting, and I cannot wait to see them hit the track.”