Mika Hakkinen’s 14-year-old daughter has signed with McLaren ’s driver development programme.

Ella Hakkinen, who has won karting races across Europe, has been added to McLaren’s young driver academy alongside British racers Ella Stevens, 19, and Ella Lloyd, 20.

While Stevens and Lloyd will represent McLaren in F1 Academy next season – the all-female racing series held at grand prix weekends across the year – Hakkinen will test single-seater cars ahead of a potential seat in 2027.

The 14-year-old Finn won the 2024 Champions of the Future Academy karting race in Cremona, Italy last year.

"Ella is an extremely talented racing driver,” Mika said of his daughter, speaking to Finnish newspaper Ilta-Sanomat, last month.

“I'm not just saying this as a father, but based on my observation

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