F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo recently took to social media to welcome a new member to the McLaren racing family. The Woking-based outfit welcomed New Zealand driver Emma Gilmour to their Extreme E team.

Gilmour is the first and the only female driver to win the New Zealand rally championship till date. She has also won FIA Women in Motorsport, Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation cross-country rally selection in 2015.

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I’m incredibly honored to be McLaren Racing’s first female driver: Gilmour

As reported by GPFans, the New Zealand racer is also the first female racer to represent McLaren in a racing series. Gilmour mentioned that to her, the British team is the pinnacle of motorsport.

“I’m incredibly honored to be McLaren Racing’s first female driver. Growing up in New Zealand, Bruce McLaren and McLaren Racing are seen as the pinnacles of motorsport. To be competing in Extreme E next year with McLaren is a special opportunity.”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown also welcomed Gilmour into the team. “Emma completes our exciting and competitive driver line-up alongside Tanner Foust for our first season of Extreme E.

“She’s a race winner and has proven herself this year in Extreme E alongside a vast background in competitive off-roading in multiple racing series across the globe. It’s fitting that our first female driver originates from New Zealand where our founder Bruce McLaren was from,” said Brown.

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Welcome, Emma. Kia Ora! Hope that’s right: Daniel Ricciardo

McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo was also excited to welcome the New Zealander to the team. The Australian driver used some native slang to welcome Gilmour to the team.

” Welcome, Emma. Kia Ora! Hope that’s right😁 “ said Daniel.

It would be for Daniel Ricciardo to have someone from his neck of the woods to spend time within the team. Although Australians and New Zealanders are rivals in the sporting world, it is nice to have on the same side for once.

Let’s hope that Gilmour brings success to the McLaren name in the Extreme E series.