Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mike Hakkinen retired from the sport in 2001, but retains a close relationship with McLaren and was recently given the honor of driving a rare F1 GTR at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The F1 GTR in question is the exact same car that claimed victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 in its first-ever outing.
While we’d excuse McLaren for keeping the car locked away in a museum, we’re glad the British marque had no problem handing over the keys to the Flying Finn.
Still finished in the same black paint scheme and livery with which it won the world’s most prestigious endurance race, the F1 GTR looks absolutely breathtaking on track.
Despite the car easily being worth in excess of $10 million, Hakkinen was happy to explore the limits of the track with the race car. While he wasn’t driving at ten-tenths, he certainly drove the racer hard enough to put on a spectacular show for all those standing at the side of the track.
Last month, Hakkinen revealed that he was considering a return to racing following a recent drive of his title-winning 1998 McLaren Formula 1 car. If he does return to the track competitively, we gather it will most likely be in an a historic or endurance series.