Mika Hakkinen makes his comeback to the F1 driver's seat in the championship-winning McLaren MP4/6 previously driven by Ayrton Senna.
Mika Hakkinen makes his return to the Formula 1 driver's seat today at the Allwyn x McLaren Racing: Live in Athens event held outside the Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA).
The two-time world champion will navigate a custom track layout in Ayrton Senna's legendary McLaren MP4/6, offering fans a glimpse of the MCL39, the car that clinched the 2025 constructors' championship.
"We are here for an incredible event featuring McLaren cars, and of course, there are simulators available for the fans," the former McLaren racer remarked in the lead-up to the occasion.
"We will have a show run here; you can check out the car that I’ll be driving tomorrow. It’s going to be spectacular. It boasts around 700 horsepower and weighs about 500 kilos. So it’s sure to be a fantastic day."
The MP4/6 was the inaugural McLaren model equipped with a Honda V12 engine. This 3.5-litre V12 generates 725 horsepower at 13,500 rpm. It was piloted by Senna and Gerhard Berger during the 1991 F1 season, securing the constructors' championship for the Woking team, while Senna earned his third drivers' title in this vehicle.
Lando Norris captured his first F1 drivers' championship in the MCL39 in 2025. Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri triumphed in 14 out of 24 rounds, leading the team to its 10th constructors' championship title.
"Our supporters are central to everything we undertake at McLaren Racing, and while not everyone can partake in a grand prix weekend in person, we continuously seek ways to bring the team closer to them," McLaren's chief marketing officer Louise McEwan stated prior to the event in Athens.
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Allwyn to host this distinctive event in Athens and engage with our enthusiastic and expanding fan base in Greece."
Additional former F1 drivers are also anticipated to be present at the event, alongside modern and classic show cars and fan zone activities.
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