P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Zak Brown has shared his feelings about McLaren making critical strides to increase the representation of women in motorsport.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown expressed pride in the team’s efforts to increase female representation in motorsport. The signing of Ella Stevens and Ella Hakkinen, daughter of former F1 champion Mika Hakkinen, to the driver development program was announced. Ella Lloyd will continue racing in the F1 Academy in 2026, and Stevens is set to join the all-woman F1 support series next year. Stevens will race with Rodin Motorsport in a car named McLaren Oxagon in partnership with NEOM. Brown acknowledged the need for more progress in this area but commended the strides made by McLaren. The 14-year-old Ella Hakkinen is gearing up to transition to single-seaters with a testing program planned for 2027. Brown thanked NEOM for collaborating to open more opportunities for women in motorsport and highlighted the excitement of having three talented young female drivers in the program.
