McLaren has announced that two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen has re-joined the team as its partner ambassador, on a multi-year deal.
Häkkinen spent the bulk of his Formula 1 career with McLaren, taking 20 Grand Prix victories alongside world titles in 1998 and 1999.
In the newly-established role, Häkkinen will sit alongside Executive Director Zak Brown and the staff of McLaren marketing in working with existing sponsors, and potential new partners.
“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,” said Häkkinen.
“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.”
Brown believes Häkkinen will be an “incredible asset” for McLaren across the coming years.
“Mika 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,” said Brown.
“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.”
Häkkinen's role will also extend to the automotive arm of McLaren.
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