Ella Häkkinen joins McLaren Racing Driver Development Programme

McLaren have announced the signing of Ella Häkkinen to their Driver Development Programme, becoming the youngest driver in their roster.

The 14-year-old has enjoyed an impressive karting career, claiming her first major international victory at the 2024 Champions of the Future Academy in Cremona. Selected as one of the nine entries supported by F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE in COTFA and the Champions of the Future Academy UAE Series this year, she took pole position and a podium in the OK-N Senior category at the most recent round at the Slovakia Ring.

Joining the Driver Development Programme as their third female racer, the team have stated she will be testing single-seaters in preparation for 2027.

“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," said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing. "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.”