McLaren Driver Development Programme

The programme was founded in 1998 by McLaren and Mercedes as the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Support Programme. The programme notably signed Lewis Hamilton, Nick Heidfeld and Nicolas Minassian as some of its first drivers. From 2019 to 2021, no drivers were part of the program. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said this was due to the team's "very targeted" approach and already stable Formula One line-up, meaning it would be difficult for any young drivers to find a place in Formula One.

In April 2023, the Young Driver Programme was replaced by the Driver Development Programme. Later in October, the programme signed its first female driver in Bianca Bustamante, who represented McLaren in the 2024 season of F1 Academy. In October 2024, the programme signed its second female driver in Ella Lloyd, who represented McLaren in the 2025 F1 Academy season in place of Bustamante, who left the series and the programme after completing her second season. In November 2025, the programme announced the signing of Ella Häkkinen, the programme's youngest signing at the age of 14 and the daughter of 1998 and 1999 World Drivers' Champion and former McLaren driver Mika Häkkinen. The programme also signed Ella Stevens, who will join Lloyd as McLaren's second F1 Academy supported driver for the 2026 season.

^ van Osten, Phillip (24 December 2020). "Brown: Lack of McLaren young drivers due to 'different philosophy'". F1i.com. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.

^ Smith, Luke (23 December 2020). "McLaren sticking to "targeted" approach for F1 young driver programme". Autosport.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2021.

^ Cite error: The named reference YDP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

^ Cite error: The named reference Bustamante was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

^ "All 10 Formula 1 teams will have F1 Academy drivers and liveries for the 2024 season". F1® Academy. 26 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.

^ Cite error: The named reference 25F1A was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

^ Morales, Luisa (18 February 2025). "Bianca Bustamante confirms exit from McLaren ahead of GB3 Championship debut with Elite Motorsport". One Sports. Retrieved 18 February 2025.

^ Baldwin, Alan (17 November 2025). "McLaren add 14-year-old Ella Hakkinen to driver programme". Reuters. Retrieved 17 November 2025.