Monday 8th November 2004

Mika to race again

F1 star gets back behind the wheel, this time in an AMG CLK

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Mika Häkkinen is to race an AMG-Mercedes C-Class in the German touring cars series, DTM, next year. Now 36 years old, Mika Häkkinen retired from Formula One at the end of the 2001 season. During his 10-year career, he won 20 Grands Prix with West McLaren Mercedes, achieved 26 pole positions, 25 fastest race laps and scored 420 F1 points. In 1998 and 1999 he clinched the drivers' titles and came second in 2000.

His first experience with a DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) car was in 2001, when he drove an AMG-Mercedes-Benz CLK at Brno, Czech Republic on the occasion of a promotion activity.

Häkkinen says, "After the end of my Formula One career in 2001, I soon realised that I'm not ready to retire for good. Mercedes-Benz offered me a test in a DTM car at just the right moment. I saw immediately that I still enjoy racing very much and, during the test three weeks ago, my lap times were at the same level as those of the touring car specialists.

"I know, of course, that I first have to get used to a DTM car to be able to fight with the front runners. The AMG-Mercedes C-Class, however, is a great car and with it I want to be consistently competitive soon. I look forward to an interesting season with exciting battles – against my former Formula One colleages as well as against the young DTM drivers – and to see again my fans. I'm especially happy about returning to the Mercedes family – I'm back, but I've never been really gone."

Norbert Haug, VP Mercedes-Benz Motorsport says, "We are very happy about Mika's decision to race in the DTM. Our engagement and the Championship will gain a lot from his commitment. While Mika was driving for us, he was always interested in DTM and we talked a lot about it. Watching the 2004 season on TV Mika has become a real DTM fan, as he told us. During his test he proved that he didn't lose his speed. We look forward to exciting battles next year."

By the by, Mika's replacement in the F1 team, Kimi Raikkonen, has also test-driven the car, taking the wheel last Friday. No statement about Kimi's retirement has so far been forthcoming.

 

[steve-p]

Jean Alesi's done reasonably OK this season, but Frentzen looked like an arse. So it certainly isn't an easy formula for "Mr Excitement" to return to racing in.

[farmer]

look forward to Mika v Alesi then if we can get Mick Schumacher the following year I may even buy a satalite dish to see Jean prove he was the fastest racer of them all but maybee not the cleverest or the luckiest

[andy_b]

its a c-class nowadays btw

[mg511]

andy_b said:

its a c-class nowadays btw

Eh? The very first line says "Mika Häkkinen is to race an AMG-Mercedes C-Class in the German touring cars series"!

[xspencex]

DTM is great and as more of the ex-F1 crew start racing the better for it. Its a shame GM don't see it that way though opel pulling out leaves Merc and Audi left, Would hope that BMW pull their socks up and enter.

[Ahonen]

I still have my large Finland/Häkkinen flag that so irritated the Germans at Spa in 2000, bless 'em. I think they'll have to see it again next year, too.

Can't wait.