Mika Häkkinen, McLaren’s double Formula 1 World Champion, made a thrilling return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving a McLaren Solus GT. This single-seater, painted as a tribute to his 1998 title-winning MP4/13 Formula 1 car, showcased both the legacy and future of McLaren’s engineering prowess.
Häkkinen, who secured the Formula 1 World Championships in 1998 and 1999, drove the Solus GT up the iconic Goodwood hillclimb. The car, a masterpiece by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), features a livery reminiscent of Häkkinen’s MP4/13, applied by the same artist who painted the original F1 car in 1998.
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The Solus GT, unveiled in August 2022, is McLaren’s ultimate track-only hypercar, inspired by the Gran Turismo SPORT video game. Limited to just 25 units, it is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine, capable of over 10,000rpm and generating 840PS. Its aerodynamic design produces over 1,200kg of downforce, delivering a driving experience close to that of a Formula 1 car.
Reflecting on the drive, Häkkinen said, “Driving the Solus GT is an experience that reminds me of my time racing with McLaren. A true single-seater with incredible V10 power and sound – just incredible!”
The Solus GT’s appearance at Goodwood follows its victory in the 2023 Timed Shootout Final, driven by McLaren factory driver Marvin Kirchhöfer. This year, Häkkinen’s drive continued to celebrate McLaren’s dominance at Goodwood, cementing the Solus GT’s reputation as one of the fastest and most exhilarating McLaren vehicles ever produced.
Source: F1 Champion Mika Häkkinen Drives McLaren Solus GT at Goodwood Festival of Speed
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