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Two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen set for racing return

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen set for racing return

09-04-2019 11:03
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Mika Hakkinen will make a return to competitive action in August after announcing he will drive at the Suzuka 10 hours endurance event. Hakkinen, winner of the 1998 and 1999 Formula 1 world championships will drive a McLaren. 

Hakkinen, 50, got a chance to drive his McLaren MP4/13 in October 2018 marking 20 years since his first championship win with McLaren. This might well have been the event which reignited his enthusiasm. 

In August later this year, Hakkinen will compete in the penultimate round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. This will be his first meaningful fixture since Le Mans Cup final in 2011. 

"Last year, I drove the MP4/13 and enjoyed Suzuka's unique figure-of-eight track layout. So, this year, I decided to return to racing for the first time since the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup round at Zhuhai in November 2011, and I chose Suzuka Circuit as the place for my comeback," Hakkinen told motorsport magazine.

"Suzuka was also the place where I won the Formula 1 championship for the first time and where I have so many enthusiastic Japanese friends."