McLaren Racing has announced that 19-year-old Welsh driver Ella Lloyd will join their Driver Development Programme and represent the team in the 2025 F1 Academy season with Rodin Motorsport. Lloyd, who started racing competitively in 2022, has quickly made a name for herself, securing impressive results in the Ginetta Junior Championship, Ginetta GT Championship, and most recently in British F4.
In 2024, Lloyd’s accomplishments included earning multiple podium finishes in British F4 and taking part as a Wild Card driver during the Singapore F1 Academy weekend, where she scored points in both races. Her progression through the ranks has led to her inclusion in McLaren’s talent pipeline, designed to nurture drivers towards top-tier racing series like Formula 1, IndyCar, and Formula E.
Lloyd’s next challenge will be the 2025 F1 Academy season, where she will compete with Rodin Motorsport, in line with the F1 Academy’s two-year driver participation limit. In addition, Lloyd will participate in Formula E’s inaugural Women’s Test for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team on November 7, 2024, in Valencia, Spain, gaining valuable experience in the GEN3 Evo car as part of pre-season testing for the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Stephanie Carlin, McLaren’s Director of F1 Business Operations, expressed excitement about Lloyd joining the programme, highlighting her talent and strong performance in previous competitions. Lloyd herself is enthusiastic about the opportunity to drive for a team with McLaren’s legacy and focus on talent development, stating that she’s ready to continue pushing boundaries as a female in motorsport.
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