2026
McLAREN Racing F1 Academy
F1 Academy is an all-female series that was launched in 2023 by Formula 1 to help prepare and develop female drivers to make the step up to higher levels of motorsport, including Formula 3, Formula 2 and Formula 1, providing them with track time as well as technical, physical, and mental support.
Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens will represent McLaren Racing in 2026 by running the team’s livery on their race cars, in collaboration with long-standing partner, NEOM.
Our 2026 F1 Academy Line-up
Latest news F1 Academy
McLAREN Racing expands commitment to supporting the next generation of female motorsport talent
"To now have three talented young female drivers in our Driver Development Programme is really exciting"
Ella assesses her progression
A year on from her F1 Academy debut in Singapore
Nurturing the next generation
Inside McLaren’s Driver Development Programme
Catching up with Ella
Ella Lloyd on racing in McLaren colours, switching between cars, and chasing consistency
Learn more about our
F1 Academy Drivers
2026 calendar
| Date | Venue |
| 13-15 March | Shanghai International Circuit, China |
| 17-19 April | Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia |
| 22-24 May | Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Canada |
| 03-05 July | Silverstone Circuit, Great Britain |
| 21-23 August | Circuit Zandvoort, Netherlands |
| 23-25 October | Circuit of the Americas, United States |
| 19-21 November | Las Vegas Strip Circuit, United States |
2025 season Highlights
“The F1 Academy series is a fantastic initiative and creates a pathway for young female drivers to reach the highest levels in motorsport”
Zak Brown
CEO, McLaren Racing
Related articles
Looking back on the first year of McLaren’s NEXT Programme
Louise McEwen and Stephanie Carlin on empowering women in motorsport
Zak Brown: We need to accelerate our diversity, equity, & inclusion journey
Driving Diversity: Reflecting on 60 Scholars 2024
