McLaren unveils bronze statue of Mika Hakkinen at Woking headquarters

McLaren has unveiled a bronze statue of two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen at its Woking headquarters, honoring the Flying Finn during the team's 1000th grand prix celebrations. Created by motorsport artist Paul Oz, the sculpture depicts Hakkinen's 1998 Suzuka title-clinching celebration and stands on the factory Boulevard with his championship-winning MP4/13.

Why it matters:

The monument places Hakkinen among McLaren's immortalized legends, joining existing statues of Bruce McLaren, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. As the current team fights for championships with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the tribute reinforces the winning culture linking McLaren's golden eras to its present resurgence.

The details:

• The statue recreates Hakkinen's podium celebration after sealing his maiden crown at the 1998 Japanese Grand Prix.
• It sits permanently at the McLaren Technology Centre beside the MP4/13, the car that delivered his first title.
• Hakkinen joined CEO Zak Brown, team principal Andrea Stella, and drivers Norris and Piastri for the unveiling.
• Brown highlighted McLaren's survival through more than a century of F1 teams, crediting the DNA instilled by founder Bruce McLaren.
• Stella called the legacy "immensely motivating" as the squad pursues further silverware.

The big picture:

Bridging past glory with current ambition, the installation underscores McLaren's identity as one of the sport's most storied constructors. By elevating Hakkinen into its hall of heroes while the 2026 car battles at the front, McLaren signals that its modern charge is rooted in the same standards that defined its greatest days.