“I’ll tell you what I really really want!”: Looking back at Christian Horner’s wife, who Mika Häkkinen undressed when the 1997 McLaren F1 car was unveiled

In one of the most bizarre and memorable car reveals of all time, the world famous “Spice Girls” introduced the 1997 McLaren MP4 / 12.

In the 90s, the Spice Girls were arguably one of the most popular musical groups in the world. Their popularity skyrocketed towards the end of the 20th century and they have been part of some iconic moments in history.

One crossover that many people didn’t expect was the one with the F1 giant McLaren. Ahead of the 1997 F1 season, the band that redefined teen pop music attended the unveiling of the MP4 / 12.

It was the first time McLaren used its now iconic silver livery after abolishing the Marlboro red and white color scheme that had been used since the days of Ayrton Senna-Alain Prost.

The drivers for the Surrey-based team this year were Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard, who both took part in the event. ’96 was the year the legendary group released their hit song ‘Wannabe’. McLaren saw it as a big marketing push that they were promoting their drivers and their car.

‘Ginger Spice’ was a member of a British girl band. Today she is popularly known as Geri Horner, wife of Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.

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An “uncomfortable” moment for the McLaren driver with Ms. Horner

Häkkinen and Coulthard took the stage after the Spice Girls unveiled their 1997 car. What followed can only be described as an extremely unpleasant situation for the two drivers.

The Finn introduced himself on stage by kissing ‘Scary Spice’ (Mel B) on both cheeks, followed by a series of ‘Wuh’ noises from the girls. Coulthard seemed confident with a mic in front of himself, but the same couldn’t be said of Häkkinen.

‘Ginger Spice’ (Frau Horner) was curious about what the racing drivers were wearing under their suits. Without warning, they jokingly throw themselves on Hakkinen’s racing suit and seem to take him off on stage.

The crossover on stage was short-lived and Hakkinen seemed happy to leave when the legendary group of singers said goodbye to him and Coulthard.

Very soon the F1 cars of 2022 will be revealed as a new season is upon us. We can see new and innovative ways teams present their cars. But certainly none will surpass the 1997 McLaren and Spice Girls collaboration.

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