- Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen takes the wheel of Ayrton Senna’s 1991 title-winning McLaren MP4/6 at the Allwyn x McLaren Racing: Live in Athens event.
- The public demonstration at the Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA) features a bespoke street circuit alongside McLaren’s 2025 constructors’ championship-winning MCL39.
- Organized with partner Allwyn, the fan festival showcases heritage machinery, modern race cars, and interactive simulators to expand motorsport engagement in Greece.
Mika Hakkinen Returns to the Cockpit at Live in Athens Event
Formula 1 legend Mika Hakkinen is stepping back into historic grand prix machinery for the Allwyn x McLaren Racing: Live in Athens demonstration outside the Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA). The Finnish two-time world champion will run dynamic laps on a bespoke street circuit laid out specifically for the occasion, giving motorsport enthusiasts in Greece a rare close-up look at championship-winning Formula 1 heritage.
Hakkinen is piloting one of the most revered vehicles in racing history: the McLaren MP4/6, formerly campaigned by three-time world champion Ayrton Senna. The weekend event also offers fans an opportunity to view McLaren’s 2025 machinery, the MCL39, uniting the Woking team’s golden heritage with its contemporary successes on the global stage.
Speaking ahead of the live run, Hakkinen expressed his enthusiasm for the track showcase and the broader festival setup. We are here with a great event with McLaren cars and of course, there are simulators for the fans,
the former McLaren driver said in the lead-up to the event. We are going to have a show run here; you can see the car that I’m going to drive tomorrow. It’s going to be amazing. It has like 700 horsepower. It’s about 500 kilos. So it’s going to be a fantastic day.
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Engineering Heritage: The McLaren MP4/6 and the Dominant MCL39
The machinery chosen for Hakkinen’s demonstration run carries immense historical significance. The MP4/6 holds a unique place in McLaren’s history as the squad’s first chassis to utilize a Honda V12 engine. The naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V12 powerplant produces 725 horsepower at 13,500 rpm. Driven by Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger throughout the 1991 Formula 1 campaign, the car powered McLaren to the constructors’ championship and carried Senna to his third and final drivers’ crown.
In contrast to the high-revving V12 of the early 1990s, the event also highlights the contemporary benchmark of grand prix racing with the 2025 constructors’ championship-winning MCL39. The car became a modern classic as Lando Norris claimed his maiden F1 drivers’ championship behind its wheel. Together, Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri captured 14 victories across the 24-round 2025 season, securing McLaren Racing its 10th constructors’ championship trophy.
McLaren Expands Fan Engagement in Greece with Allwyn
The Athens spectacle forms part of McLaren’s continuing global outreach strategy to engage motorsport enthusiasts outside traditional Grand Prix host cities. Alongside Hakkinen’s live running and vehicle displays, the event features interactive fan zones equipped with professional simulators, with additional former Formula 1 drivers expected to appear.
Highlighting the motivation behind bringing the live showcase to the Greek capital, McLaren chief marketing officer Louise McEwan emphasized the importance of accessible fan experiences. Our fans are at the heart of everything we do at McLaren Racing, and while not everyone can experience a grand prix weekend in person, we’re always looking for ways to bring the team closer to them,
McLaren chief marketing officer Louise McEwan said ahead of the event in Athens. We’re excited to partner with Allwyn to bring this unique event to Athens and connect with our passionate and growing fan community in Greece.
Why This Matters
Live street demonstrations bridge the physical divide between grand prix teams and non-host nations. By partnering with Allwyn to host an exhibition outside the Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA), McLaren brings Formula 1 engineering directly to European markets that lack a dedicated race on the F1 calendar. Featuring legendary champions like Mika Hakkinen in historic cars like the V12 MP4/6 alongside modern title-winning hardware preserves the team’s rich legacy while fueling grassroots enthusiasm for the current era of Formula 1 racing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Formula 1 car is Mika Hakkinen driving in Athens?
Mika Hakkinen is driving the McLaren MP4/6, the iconic Honda V12-powered chassis driven by Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger during the 1991 Formula 1 season.
Where is the Allwyn x McLaren Racing event taking place?
The event is hosted in Athens, Greece, running on a custom-designed track layout set up outside the Olympic Athletic Center (OAKA).
Which modern McLaren race car is on display?
Fans at the Athens showcase can view the McLaren MCL39, the car in which Lando Norris secured his maiden F1 drivers’ championship and McLaren clinched its 10th constructors’ title in 2025.
