#mclaren driver development programme

[swoopyhairfan]

McLaren made a post showcasing their development drivers for 2026 and in what category they will be racing in in 2026:

Both Leo and Pato will be fulfilling the reserve driver post in f1 with Pato also competing in indycar alongside his reserve driver duties.

Richard will be racing in ELMS with duqueine in the LMP2 category.

Matteo will be competing in fia f3 with trident.

Ella Lloyd and Ella Stevens will both be racing in f1 academy with rodin motorsport.

Dries will be competing in fws and British f4 with rodin motorsport.

Christian will be competing in f4UAE, Italian f4 and E4.

And finally Ella Häkkinen will be testing f4 machinery the upcoming year.

[pinkmatrixsurvivor]

so is there any real benefit to joining the mclaren driver development programme or am i missing something?

[sabsvrsn]

ella lloyd, who was the wild card driver in Singapore f1 academy gp (and finished both races in points), will drive for mclaren next year! here's more about her achievements so far :)

[swoopyhairfan]

I actually adore this video of the Ellas that McLaren posted, it’s them playing grab that mic but it’s mostly giggles and confusion:

They’re also so Oscar and Lando coded like Ella Lloyd’s straight faced delivery and her refusal to sing is just like Oscar in that one karaoke vid😭