MIKA HAKKINEN TO TEST FOR TEAM McLAREN MERCEDES
Two-times Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen will drive
a Team McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car for the first time since
the 2001 Japanese Grand Prix on Thursday 30th November 2006
when he will conduct a day's testing at the Circuit de Catalunya
near Barcelona, Spain. This will constitute part of the team's
winter testing programme in preparation for the 2007 season
in which double World Champion Fernando Alonso and GP2 Champion
Lewis Hamilton will be competing for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
Mika asked for the opportunity to re-familiarise himself
with a Formula 1 car, and the team will use this test to benefit
from Mika's experience and obtain his feedback with regards
to changes in downforce, engine and tyres following the regulatory
changes which have occurred since he last drove a Formula
1 car..
Since retiring from Formula 1, Mika has remained an integral
part of the Team McLaren Mercedes family by competing in the
DTM Touring Car Championship as a works driver for Mercedes-Benz
with an AMG Mercedes C Class. Only last week the links were
further strengthened when Mika was announced as an ambassador
for Johnnie Walker – a long-term commercial partner
of Team McLaren Mercedes.
"I'm really excited about driving a Team McLaren Mercedes
Formula 1 car again and to be re-engaging with the team,"
said the 38-year-old Finn. "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 1 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 and Norbert for making this happen. This test is a chance
for me to see how much Formula 1 cars have advanced and experience
first hand what they are like to drive today as well as providing
the team with some feedback on various aspects of the car's
performance."
"We are delighted to provide Mika with the opportunity
to drive a Formula 1 car again," said Ron Dennis, Team
Principal of Team McLaren Mercedes. "He is really looking
forward to getting behind the wheel of a current Formula 1
car. A driver of Mika's calibre and experience can only bring
added value to our testing programme and his feedback after
Thursday's running will be valuable to the team in our preparations
for the 2007 season. However at this stage there are no plans
for Mika to conduct further tests for the team."
"Mika has always been a very important part of the McLaren
Mercedes family," said Norbert Haug, Vice-President Mercedes-Benz
Motorsport. "With his two Formula 1 World Championship
titles and 20 Grands Prix wins for the team he has contributed
a lot to the success of the McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team.
Since 2005 he has been competing in the DTM Touring Car Championship
and clearly shown that he has not lost any of his speed or
commitment. Everybody in the team is happy to see him at the
wheel of a Team McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car again and we
look forward to some interesting comments. However nobody
should draw the conclusion that Mika will switch back to Formula
1 after this test." Team McLaren Mercedes has been testing
at Circuit de Catalunya since Tuesday 28th November with Lewis
Hamilton and Pedro de la Rosa. Mika will take over from Pedro
on the Thursday 30th November. The Barcelona test will be
followed by two additional tests in Jerez, Spain before Christmas.
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