Two-time McLaren Formula One world champion Mika Häkkinen relived the V10-engined glory days when taking the McLaren Solus GT supercar up the Goodwood hill, at this past weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK.
Häkkinen won the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championships in 1998 and 1999, capturing McLaren’s third and fourth drivers’ titles of the sport’s fabled V10 era.
The Solus GT he drove is finished in the colours of the flying Finn’s MP4/13 Formula One car of 1998. The car, one of 25 custom cars produced, is owned by a self-confessed McLaren and Häkkinen fanatic.
In a further display of authenticity, the livery that comprises blended colours that are faithful to the MP4/13 chassis of 1998 was applied by a member of the MSO paint team, who painted the MP4/13 Formula One cars in period, for the 1998 season.
McLaren brought the futuristic-looking, single-seat Solus GT to life in 2022 after it featured in the 2017 Gran Turismo Sport video game. The special commission batch of 25 units were all sold to customers for £2.5m (R50m) apiece at the time.
“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!” said the former Formula One world champion.
The Solus GT is a track weapon weighing less than 1,000kg and powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2l V10 engine. It produces 618kW at 10,000rpm with aerodynamics optimised for fast lap times, and generating more than 1,200kg in downforce.
McLaren entered another orange and black Solus GT into the Goodwood timed shootout in 2023. Factory driver Marvin Kirchhöfer clocked a 45.34-second time on that Sunday afternoon to win the year’s event, capping McLaren wins at Goodwood for the second time in three years, after the 720S GT3X took honours in 2021.
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