Mika Hakkinen sees F1 future for ‘badass’ daughter Ella

Two-time F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen believes the future of motorsport will include a female driver reaching the sport’s elite level by 2030 – and he’s not shy about naming one of the front-runners: his own daughter, Ella.

At just 14, Ella is already making waves in the Champions of the Future karting series, and her father is convinced she has the talent, drive, and mentality to succeed at the highest level.

Hakkinen, who was recently trackside in Singapore, sees a seismic shift coming in the male-dominated world of motorsport.

“Female drivers will rise to the highest level by 2030 – whether it’s Ella or someone else,” he predicted. “This new generation of fans is 40 percent female, and the sport needs to reflect that.”

At just 14, Ella is already making waves in the Champions of the Future karting series, and her father is convinced she has the talent, drive, and mentality to succeed at the highest level.

“Ella is an extremely talented racing driver,” Hakkinen told Ilta-Sanomat. “I’m not just saying this as a father, but based on my observations as a former top driver.”

The teenager recently took pole and finished second in Slovakia, and continues to carve her own path, fueled by a drive that her father calls almost otherworldly.

“The direction is completely right,” the former McLaren driver added. “Her motivation is simply incomprehensible. She wants to be a racing driver. At this point, she’s a real badass.”

Building a Champion

Ella’s journey began at age 11 when she first climbed into a go-kart. From that moment, she found her calling, drawn to speed, competition, and the joy of racing.

“I know I can win, I have the speed, and I’m pretty fierce and brave. I really know what I can do, so I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Ella said.

Recognizing the challenges of being both father and coach, Hakkinen enlisted a professional team from Hintsa Performance, the same organization that once trained Lewis Hamilton, to guide Ella and her younger brother Daniel.

“To be a father and a coach doesn’t work, I’m too emotional. You need someone very professional who can help your child find the best out of themselves,” Hakkinen explained.

With Hintsa’s guidance, Ella is developing the physical and mental tools she’ll need to thrive in motorsport’s upper echelons.

“It’s really nice to have a team around you,” she said. “It brings me more motivation, more happiness.”

But her legendary father emphasized that nothing is being left to chance: “They train at the same level as Hamilton. Nothing is left undone.”

For now, the focus remains on development, competition, and embracing the journey. But by 2030, Hakkinen believes the sport could be welcoming its first female superstar – and Ella might just be leading the charge.

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