McLaren’s Three Ellas: F1 Academy Drivers Making Their Mark

The mention of three Ellas may initially evoke thoughts of Rihanna’s 2007 hit “Umbrella.”

But inside the McLaren Formula 1 garage, staff have a different reason for humming that song.

Their three drivers—Ella Häkkinen, Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens—are all part of the team’s Driver Development Programme, which provides guidance and opportunities.

In a sport historically dominated by men, the three Ellas are determined to make their mark, aided in part by horses and a Welsh dragon.

Lloyd, 20, and Stevens, 19, will return to racing this weekend in Canada for the F1 Academy, the all-female category launched in 2023.

Häkkinen, a step below her fellow Ellas, joined the McLaren programme last year at age 14 and already feels at home.

“It’s nice to have girls that are also friends do similar championships as you,” she said.

Her comfort is unsurprising given her racing pedigree.

Häkkinen, now 15, is the daughter of two-time F1 world champion Mika Häkkinen, but told Newsbeat her grandmother first introduced her to racing.

“She brought us into an indoor kart arena and I just really loved the passion,” she said.

Her father, a Finnish champion known for his battles with F1 great Michael Schumacher, later took her to try outdoor karting.

Having a world champion father comes with abundant photos, videos of his success, and useful advice, she said.

“He obviously knows the mindset and mentality,” she said.

“What you have to do before the race, what you need to do after the race to recover.”

But the 15-year-old often attends her races without her father because “he’s really emotional.”

While some F1 stars like Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc race online in their spare time, Häkkinen unwinds by riding horses.

She said she competed in equestrian sports before motorsports took over.

Horses have also played a role in teammate Ella Lloyd’s success.

Lloyd acknowledged a “later” start in racing compared to most, but it has not hindered her; she was F1 Academy’s Rookie of the Year last season.

Just a few years ago, she was a talented show jumper and skier, a background she said has “definitely helped” in racing.

“You’ve got to feel what [the horse] is doing all the time,” she said.

“So that transitions well because you’re sitting in the car, and you’ve got to feel what the car is doing underneath you.”

Lloyd said a feel for different types of ice in skiing also helps her understand racing track grip.

“I think that’s one of the key things that kind of made the transition a lot easier and a lot quicker.”

Beyond horses, Lloyd also draws inspiration from a Welsh dragon imprinted on her helmet.

She hails from Pontypridd in south Wales and was born into a sporting family; her father is a Paralympic skier.

“All you see in the comments is just the Welsh flag and everyone supporting from back home,” she said.

“It’s nice to have such amazing support and I’m proud to have the Welsh flag on my suit.”

Lloyd made her home fans proud with her speed last year, securing her first F1 Academy victory in Saudi Arabia.

She was unable to replicate that success this year after the Jeddah race was canceled due to the Middle East conflict.

But Lloyd said she is looking forward to the rest of the season, starting with race two in Canada this weekend.

The final Ella, Ella Stevens, started racing at age six and has followed in hallowed racing footsteps.

She has won karting titles at an age similar to seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

Stevens acknowledged that racing for McLaren is “a big step up,” particularly in terms of exposure.

“Especially being in F1 Academy, it’s on an F1 stage,” she said.

“So it’s a lot bigger to what I’m used to.”

The opportunities, however, are compelling.

Last year’s F1 Academy winner, Doriane Pin, drove Hamilton’s 2021 Mercedes car in April.

“It was really cool to see a female drive an F1 car,” Stevens said.

“It’s just amazing to see that progress.”

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