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Hakkinen returns to McLaren as ambassador

Published on 16 Mar 2017 14:08
5
By: Rob Veenstra

McLaren is delighted to announce that double world champion Mika Hakkinen will take up the position of Partner Ambassador with immediate effect, in a multi-year deal.

The Flying Finn, 48, drove 130 Grands Prix for the McLaren team between 1993 and 2001, winning 20 of them, and taking two Drivers’ World Championship titles (in 1998 and ’99). 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.

In his newly established role, Mika Hakkinen will sit alongside McLaren Executive Director Zak Brown and the staff of McLaren Marketing, working with established partners and exciting new business prospects alike. He will also work closely with McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer Mike Flewitt and his marketing team.

Commenting on the deal, Hakkinen said: "I’ve always considered McLaren to be my home in Formula 1, and I still have an enormous place in my heart for everyone in the team. Of course, the past few years for McLaren haven’t been easy, but I’ve always believed that it’s only a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ McLaren will come good again – and I want to play my part in helping that happen."

"Returning to McLaren was an easy decision for me – I’ve never really lost contact, and I still know a lot of the hard-working men and women there from my eight-and-a-bit seasons with the team."

"I’m also really looking forward to working with Zak, who owns one of my race-winning McLarens from 2001. We’ve spoken about how we can work together, and I can see that he’s putting in place the building blocks needed to help McLaren get back to the front. I’ll be collaborating closely with him during the exciting years ahead."

"Equally, I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the exciting world of McLaren Automotive. I have a modern-day McLaren in my fleet of road cars, and it’s a truly superb machine. I firmly believe that McLaren makes the very best high-performance supercars in the world today."

McLaren Technology Group Executive Director Zak Brown said: "Mika [Hakkinen] is one of my all-time racing heroes, and a driver who remains one of the bravest, greatest and most iconic champions in Formula 1 history. His success with McLaren, and his battles with Michael [Schumacher], have become the stuff of Formula 1 legend, and underline Mika’s place among the pantheon of Grand Prix greats."

"Just as important, Mika is a hugely impressive individual away from the cockpit – sharp, intelligent, wise, calm, witty and still a huge fan of the sport. He’ll be an incredible asset to McLaren as we look to build on our partner portfolio and return to full competitiveness."

"It’s our intention to provide our partners with the best possible business and social experience, and having Mika as Partner Ambassador will certainly establish our presence at the pinnacle of Formula 1 team marketing and hospitality."

F1 News McLaren

Replies (5)

mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Meanwhile Mclaren are looking to go back to Mercedes power. Honda are about to be knifed and I wouldn't feel one bit sorry if that happens.
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- Mar 16 2017 - 14:24
talktohenry

Posts: 362
They can't afford to knife Honda's 100 million who else will bring in this?
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- Mar 16 2017 - 14:58
ianf1

Posts: 185
Maybe they could get the Merc engine back in and rebrand it as Honda...
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- Mar 16 2017 - 15:15
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  The Japanese will commit seppuku before they allow that to happen.
  + 0
  
  Mar 16 2017 - 17:04
Barron

Posts: 625
i thought this was Jenson's role unless he too was ousted...
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- Mar 18 2017 - 16:13