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Hakkinen to drive McLaren M23 at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Wednesday, 09 August 2017


Press release

Mika Hakkinen will he get behind the wheel of Emerson Fittipaldi's 1974 world championship-winning McLaren M23 at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on August 17-20. Hakkinen is filling in for Jenson Button, who was originally slated to drive the McLaren M23.

The Flying Finn drove 130 Grands Prix for the McLaren team between 1993 and 2001, winning 20 of them, and taking two Drivers' World Championship titles (1998 and 1999). Hakkinen's on-track battles against Ferrari's Michael Schumacher have become part of Formula 1 folklore, and Hakkinen therefore endures as one of the sport's most iconic, ironic, laconic and popular superstars.
"Though we were looking forward to having Jenson Button at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, we are delighted that a driver of Mika's caliber is able to take his place," said Gill Campbell, Senior Vice President of Event Operations at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. "Formula 1 is the pinnacle of racing advancement, and Mika will be able to showcase a car with great racing history during his spirited exhibition laps. Fans will surely enjoy the link between past and present during the exhibitions and throughout the event. Thank you to McLaren for making this happen."
The McLaren-Ford M23 contested 80 grands prix between 1973 and 1978, winning 16 grands prix, two drivers' championships and one constructors' title.

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Enjoy a happy Hakkinen in the video, and if you haven't heard his famous F1 1992 story, wait until the end.
F1 video: Hakkinen on 1974 McLaren M23B at Monterey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=FT1_DRBpKus Friday, 18 August 2017


By Marshall Pruett
Two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen has been all smiles since turning his first laps at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Emerson Fittipaldi's 1974 title-winning McLaren M23B.
The Finn, a guest of McLaren at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, is spending the weekend turning demonstration laps in the Cosworth DFV-powered F1 machine and taking part in fan Q&As at the legendary road course. Moments after stepping out of the M23B, he shared his thoughts on the experience.
"I had to take my old overalls from storage; a bit tight, I have to tell you," he said with a laugh. "I have to admit this track is fun. Really enjoyable. With this car, to drive a track like this, it is amazing. It's a great feeling. This goes up and down, some corners have a lot of camber in it.
Hakkinen says sapping Laguna Seca in an F1 car that's more than 40 years old was a perfect fit.
"A car like this [from 1974], [the] suspension is much softer," he added. "So the ride on these kind of camber changes is great. If you use the current Formula 1 car, you'd [spend] a lot of time [on] three wheels because the movement [in the] suspension is so small."


Enjoy a happy Hakkinen in the video, and if you haven't heard his famous F1 1992 story, wait until the end.