The daughter of Formula One legend Mika Hakkinen has joined McLaren’s highly-regarded driver development programme.

McLaren count the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris among their graduates and their latest recruit will be hoping to make a splash.

Ella Hakkinen – daughter of two-time world champion Mika – has joined their programme aged just 14.

The teenager’s racing background is in karting, having won a number of races all over Europe in the sport, before making the move to McLaren.

She claimed her first major international victory at the 2024 Champions of the Future Academy in Cremona, and was 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.

Her father is a two-time world champion with the team, having won back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999. The now-57-year-old won 20 Grands Prix in his career, retiring in 2008.


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The daughter of Formula One legend Mika Hakkinen (right) has joined McLaren’s driver development programme


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Ella Hakkinen (left), 14, has a strong background in karting and is aiming to make the leap to Formula One

Speaking of his daughter to Finnish paper Ilta-Sanomat last month, Mika said: ‘Ella is an extremely talented racing driver. I’m not just saying this as a father, but based on my observations as a former top driver.’

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, meanwhile, 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.’

Coincidentally, the Finnish youngster signed up alongside two other Ellas – British starlets Ella Stevens and and Ella Lloyd.

The two racers, 19 and 20 respectively, are set to represent McLaren in the all-female F1 Academy series in 2026.