McLaren has unveiled a shocking bronze statue of two-time Method 1 champion Mika Hakkinen at its Woking headquarters, commemorating the ‘Flying Finn’ as a part of the group’s a thousandth grand prix celebrations.
Crafted by famend motorsport artist Paul Oz, the sculpture exhibits Hakkinen celebrating on the season finale at Suzuka, the place he gained his maiden title in 1998.
The statue takes satisfaction of place on the manufacturing unit’s Boulevard, standing alongside his championship-winning MP4/13. It additionally joins the bronze statues of different McLaren legends – Bruce McLaren, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.
Hakkinen was current for the disclosing alongside McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, group principal Andrea Stella and present drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
“Wow… Good reminiscences! That is me in Suzuka, after I gained my first World Championship, the start of one thing very particular,” Hakkinen mentioned.
“While you spend your entire life racing, there may be strain on you to win a World Championship, and also you by no means know whether or not you will. That day in Suzuka, earlier than the race, I simply keep in mind considering, ‘okay, let’s do that, let’s go for it’. A tremendous second. Thanks all.”
The statue was a part of the group’s wider celebrations of reaching 1000 grands prix. “Greater than 100 Method 1 groups have come and gone since McLaren made its debut,” Brown mentioned.
“We’re the second-most profitable group in historical past and the second oldest. That every one comes right down to the DNA Bruce McLaren instilled on this group. It’s unbelievably particular to work right here, and it’s necessary for us all to take a second to take pleasure in that, as a result of we’re those within the room at this second in time, and we’re those making historical past occur.”
Stella added: “It is an unimaginable honour. We now have a accountability to maintain filling our trophy cupboards as these earlier than us have completed. That’s each honour, and immensely motivating.”
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