Mika H�kkinen to test for Team McLaren Mercedes

[NarendZORCE]

Mika H�kkinen to test for Team McLaren Mercedes
Stuttgart, Nov 29, 2006

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 our 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.

Source: Daimler-Chrysler
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[worksux101]

Well if its one thing this provides, its a great opportunity for us (based on his feedback) to see how things have changed with the new rules and regs over the last couple years...
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Eating meh Zauce doubles...

[worksux101]

Just a continuation of Narend's post...


From motoring.co.za...

Hakkinen off the pace in McLaren test
December 1, 2006

London, England - Former World champion Mika Hakkinen was the slowest man on the track in his first Formula 1 test for McLaren in more than five years.

The 38-year-old Finn, who retired from the sport after the 2001 Japanese GP at Suzuka, completed 79 laps on a cold, clear day at the Circuit de Catalunya north of Barcelona.

His fastest lap time was 1min19.336, more than three seconds slower than Ferrari's Italian test driver Luca Badoer who lapped in 1min16.318 - which in turn was two seconds slower than that of 21-year-old British rookie Lewis Hamilton in another McLaren
'It took several laps before I was up to speed, but we were all expecting that'
.

The 1998 and 1999 champion said later: "I didn't expect to be quick right away and Barcelona is a hard track for both car and driver.

"It took several laps before I was up to speed, but we were all expecting that."

Hakkinen spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons in the German Touring Cars but wanted to try a current F1 car.

McLaren failed to win in 2006 and will switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres now that F1 has a single supplier; it hoped for some useful information from his drive.

Hakkinen said: "It was great fun but I also had to do some serious work for the team; any feedback I can give from today's experience will help with preparation for 2007.

"As a result I was really pushing to try to do the best job that I could to assist in any way possible."

Hamilton continued to learn with his best day yet, setting the fourth fastest time.

He said: "It's early days still but this week has been really positive." - Reuters


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From ITV-F1...

McLaren 'open' to more Mika tests
Wednesday, 13, December, 2006, 14:09


McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh says McLaren would consider allowing Mika Hakkinen to test on a more regular basis if the Finn wanted to follow up his run in its car last month.

The 38-year-old double world champion made a surprise return to a competitive Formula 1 environment in winter testing at Barcelona, following five years away from the sport.

Hakkinen indicated after his 79-lap run that he would be keen to have the chance to improve on his times in the future and Whitmarsh says that with the Finn still undecided on his plans for 2007, McLaren is open to further opportunities for its former driver.

�He is still seeking what he wants to do after being an F1 driver,� he was quoted as saying by this week�s Motorsport News newspaper.

�I�m sure he is disappointed after two years in the DTM and is wondering whether it challenges him enough.

�If he wants to come and have a go every six months, then we would take it seriously and would be open to considering it.

�A mentor role had been considered for Lewis, but I don�t think it�s what he wants to do.�

Meanwhile Motorsport News also reports that the McLaren boss Ron Dennis would be interested in Mercedes-Benz owning a bigger share of the team, if it improved the overall health of the Woking-based squad.

Speculation that the German carmaker is set to increase its 40 per cent stake in the team has been rife for months and Dennis says closer collaboration could be an option.

�If an opportunity presents itself and can make McLaren better, it is supported by its management and I embrace it,� he said.

�But I would never endorse a simple exit strategy.

�We have some really exciting programmes outside our Formula 1 team and want the company to grow.�
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