Two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen is pleased to see the reuniting of McLaren and Mercedes in 2021.
The Finn is the driver most synonymous to their first partnership between 1995-2014, winning his two titles against the might of Ferrari in 1998 and 1999 and taking on Michael Schumacher until his retirement after 2001.
And, at a time when McLaren is again showing signs of resurgence, Hakkinen sees their announcement in Sochi as a key part of the British team achieving their final goal.
“It is very satisfying to see McLaren return to a position of relative competitiveness and this week’s news that they use Mercedes engines from 2021 onwards is very significant,” he wrote in his Unibet column.
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“I won both my world championships for McLaren-Mercedes and this week is the 18th anniversary of my 20th and final victory for McLaren.
“It is a partnership that worked very well in the past and team boss Andreas Seidl has identified this as being a key element in McLaren’s strategy to become winners again.”
Hakkinen also sees the symbolism in F1 teams essentially skipping an entire year to focus on the opportunities that may arise in 2021.
“The 2019 season is not even finished but already Formula 1 is turning its attention to 2020 and even 2021 when new regulations should make it possible for more teams to compete to win,” he noted.
“McLaren’s determination to join Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing in battling for victories is important, both for them and for Formula 1.”