F1-Blog

Mika back at McLaren

The McLaren team announced that Mika Hakkinen will be back in an F1 car tomorrow (Thursday).

Mika will take part in the third day of testing in Barcelona, his first public appearance in an F1 car since Japan 2001.

Mika said “I’m really excited about driving a Team McLaren Mercedes Formula One car again and to be re-engaging with the team,” Hakkinen, who has retained a close relationship with the team through his Mercedes DTM drive, said. “I have followed the Formula 1 World Championship closely since my retirement at the end of the 2001 season, but it was when I was at this year’s Brazilian Grand Prix as a guest of the team that I really felt I would like to get a chance to drive a Formula One car again.
“I have recently spent some time in Team McLaren Mercedes’ simulator in Woking and to get the possibility to drive the MP4-21 is something I’m really looking forward to. I would like to thank Ron [Dennis] and Norbert [Haug] for making this happen.”

It will be good to see the Finnish world champion back in the quick seat, after he has been appearing an the Mercedes DTM cars over the past couple of years.

Let’s hope he still has his pace and car setup ability. After all if he has still got the championship winning pace, it could be just what Lewis Hamilton needs, after all you could pick up pointers from worse drivers.