Welsh racer Ella Lloyd has joined the McLaren Driver Development programme and will represent the team in the 2025 F1 Academy campaign.
Lloyd, 19, began her racing career in 2022, competing in the Ginetta Junior Championship, which produced a certain Lando Norris many moons ago.
The Welsh rising star went on to compete in the Ginetta GT Championship and competed in the 2024 Formula Winter Series, British F4 and made a wildcard appearance in the Singapore round of the F1 Academy series, scoring points in both races.
McLaren has nominated Lloyd to contest in papaya for the full 2025 F1 Academy campaign in partnership with Rodin Motorsport.
“I’m really excited to be joining the McLaren Driver Development programme as the team’s F1 Academy driver in 2025,” said Lloyd.
“It’s an honour to drive for a team that has such a great racing history, and also a long track record for developing talent.
“With McLaren, I now have everything I need to keep developing and pushing the boundaries as a female in motorsport.
“Thank you to Zak Brown, Stephanie Carlin and the entire McLaren team for their faith in me. I can’t wait to get racing in papaya.”
Ella Lloyd handed Formula E test in addition to F1 Academy challenge
The McLaren Driver Development programme, under the watchful eye of Stephanie Carlin, will give Lloyd multiple opportunities in motorsport.
One opportunity has already presented itself, with Lloyd set to partake in the upcoming all-female FIA Formula E test in November, taking to the wheel of the GEN3 Evo NEOM McLaren FE car.
Carlin is excited to welcome Lloyd to the McLaren family and nurture her career moving forward.
“I am pleased to welcome Ella to the McLaren Driver Development programme ahead of her debut as our F1 Academy driver for the 2025 season,” Carlin said.
“Ella has great talent and potential and has already cemented herself in the series, performing brilliantly as the Wild Card entry in Singapore, so we’re excited to see what she can do with us. We look forward to supporting her development.”
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