Mika Häkkinen Will Sell You His Prototype McLaren P1 and Teach You to Drive It
Two-time F1 world champion Mika Häkkinen has decided it is time to move on from his 2013 McLaren P1 test car. Only seven Validation Prototype (VP) McLaren P1s were ever built, and Bonhams will auction off this one at its sale in Monaco on May 10. As if the car itself is not enticing enough, Häkkinen will throw in a one-day driving/racing instruction at a location of the buyer's choice.
McLaren built 375 P1 road cars. It is a rare opportunity to be able to buy any of them. Rarer still, is the opportunity to buy one that was previously owned by a former F1 world champion. Factor in the fact that this is the only VP P1 ever auctioned, and it comes with personalized instruction from one of the greatest drivers in the world and you truly have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
According to the auction listing, this McLaren P1 is known as VP3. It served as the lead car in the project's durability testing program. A special booklet created by McLaren that outlines the importance of this car as well as testing notes is included in the sale. This is the first McLaren that Häkkinen has ever owned, and McLaren Special Operations tailored it in accordance with his specifications.
Known as the Flying Finn, Häkkinen won the F1 world championship in 1998 behind the wheel of a McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13. He would repeat that feat the following year in the McLaren-Mercedes MP4/14. In total, he drove 130 Grands Prix for the McLaren team before he retired after the 2001 season. He returned to the McLaren fold in 2017 as a brand ambassador.
The number of miles on the car is not listed on the auction site, but we suspect that will make little difference to the bidders. The pre-auction estimate for this P1 with the Häkkinen driving lesson included is $1,600,000 to $2,200,000. That is roughly what the current market price of a regular McLaren P1 is. The fact that this one gives you access to driving tips from an F1 legend makes this look like a bit of a bargain.
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