McLaren rising star signing set for Formula E test

McLaren has signed Ella Lloyd to its driver development programme, with the 19-year-old to represent the team in F1 Academy next season.  

The Welsh driver is also representing McLaren in next month's all-female Formula E test on Thursday 7 November at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia. 

FE are hosting the first-ever FIA championship all-female test, which will see up to 22 women testing the latest Gen3 EVO machinery. 

Lloyd has progressed rapidly through the junior ladder having only made her professional racing debut in 2022. 

This year, Lloyd competed in British F4 and achieved four podium finishers. On top of that, she was the wild card driver for the recent Singapore F1 Academy round where points were scored in both races. 

In F1 Academy, she will represent the Woking-based team whilst racing for Rodin Motorsport. First up for Lloyd, though, is the FE test. 

“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.”