McLaren continues to build its future without forgetting the icons who wrote its most illustrious chapters. Following their recent milestone celebrations for competing in 1,000 Formula 1 Grands Prix, the Woking-based squad has unveiled a bronze statue dedicated to Mika Häkkinen—the two-time world champion who spearheaded one of the team’s most dominant eras.
The artwork, sculpted by artist Paul Oz, has been permanently placed at the McLaren Technology Centre right alongside the historic MP4-13 chassis, the very car the Finn drove to secure his maiden world championship title in 1998. The sculpture meticulously captures Häkkinen’s famous celebratory pose following his emotional triumph at Suzuka.
Mika Häkkinen looks back at a career-defining moment
Deeply moved by the tribute at the MTC, the Finnish champion fondly recollected that extraordinary period in his racing career.
“Seeing that image again takes me back to a moment that changed my career. Winning the world championship was a dream I chased for years, and managing to achieve it was something truly extraordinary,” Häkkinen stated.
The “Flying Finn” then emphasized how the core identity of the legendary team has remained steadfast through the decades, despite structural evolution.
“When I first arrived at McLaren everything was different, but the spirit of the group, the mentality, and the hunger to win have remained exactly the same,” Häkkinen added.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri find inspiration in McLaren’s heritage
Current McLaren driver Lando Norris was also present at the ceremony and spoke openly about the profound weight that comes with carrying the team’s historic legacy into the modern era: “Joining a team that has featured champions like Mika Häkkinen, Ayrton Senna, and Lewis Hamilton is a source of immense pride, but it also carries great responsibility. They are examples that push all of us to improve,” Lando Norris highlighted.
Teammate Oscar Piastri shared a matching sentiment, explaining how looking back at the team’s golden eras serves as a powerful motivational tool for the future: “The history of this team motivates us every single day. We want to add new winning chapters and contribute to making the McLaren name even greater,” Oscar Piastri noted.
Balancing high-stakes celebration with ultimate track ambition, the message echoing from Woking is unmistakable: McLaren fully intends to keep making Formula 1 history, drawing direct strength from the prestigious sporting legacy left behind by its greatest champions.
In summary, this special unveiling at Woking demonstrates how McLaren bridges its rich heritage with its future goals, utilizing the legendary achievements of Mika Häkkinen to fuel the championship aspirations of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
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