McLaren Formula 1 Team Principal Andrea Stella shared his thoughts ahead of McLaren’s third season in F1 Academy, praising the series for providing a training ground for up and coming female drivers in 2026.
“We are great supporters of F1 Academy” he said. “I enjoy the racing as well, I’m entertained during the race weekend watching F1 Academy.“
“It’s such a great initiative to give the opportunity to see the young talents grow in a category that I think gives the driver lots of space to express their talent, to see who deserves, who has the merit to emerge. Great support and I look forward to the new season.”
Continuing their commitment to opening pathways for women in motorsport, 2026 will be the year that McLaren will have 2 F1 Academy drivers sponsored by the team.
Ella Lloyd, who competed with Rodin Motorsport in 2025, will be joined by rookie Ella Stevens in the McLaren Oxagon car, following Stevens’ standout performance at the inaugural Rookie Test.
High expectations for Lloyd in 2026
After a standout 2025 season in F1 Academy, in which she also claimed Rookie of the Year, Lloyd heads into the 2026 season as a strong title contender. Stella believes that prioritising a self-improvement approach will benefit the drivers more than focusing solely on results in the season ahead.
“For me, what’s important is that both Ella’s will see and will be able to think that they are growing,” Stella explained. ”I’m a better driver, I’m a better person than I was last year, independently of the result. I think that’s the prospect, that’s the purpose that they should give themselves.
“It’s not about the result. It’s much more about the purpose and staying true to your purpose. That’s where I would like them to feel like I’m achieving it. Then most of the time, if you stay truthful to your purpose, then you get the results as well. I hope they will be happy drivers, fast drivers, that will remain happy with the way they go racing.”
Investing in future drivers
McLaren has long focused on nurturing young talent, a philosophy that has consistently paid off in their Formula 1 team. Graduates of the programme include world champions such as Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris, both of whom progressed through the ranks at a young age, demonstrating the team’s ability to identify and develop future stars.
For 2026, McLaren continues this tradition by adding 2025 F1 Academy Discover Your Drive karter Ella Häkkinen to the lineup, joining Ella Lloyd and rookie Stevens to form a trio of promising female drivers within the McLaren Development Programme.
Led by Chief Business Affairs Officer Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the programme actively fosters a supportive environment that maximises the potential of young talent. It also opens multiple pathways for career progression across motorsport, including opportunities within McLaren’s Formula 1, IndyCar, and upcoming World Endurance Championship programmes.
When asked about the importance of such program for young propects in F1 Academy for 2026, Stella replied: “Our culture is a culture of evolution, progress and growth. Growing the young talents fits the culture so well.“
“When I meet our Driver Development Programme drivers, honestly I get quite energised. It’s exciting, it’s such a good integration to the Formula 1 team. Obviously it’s an integration to McLaren Racing, but for me as a Formula 1 Team Principal, it’s such a good integration. It puts things in perspective.”
“Sometimes in Formula 1 you just get channelled into what you do, but then you see the perspective of the young drivers, the growth and F1 Academy, so it’s great. I think Alessandro Alunni Bravi and everyone that is cultivating these talents at McLaren, they are doing a good job and I really look forward to see our young drivers growing.”
