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.