Häkkinen will strengthen the field for the Race of Champions from February 5th to 6th, which takes place in the Swedish resort of Pite Havsbad with an off-course track in ice and snow.
Current Mercedes F1 driver Bottas announced in September that he will be making his Race of Champions debut next year and is now partnered with Häkkinen.
Bottas and Häkkinen will represent Team Finland in the Nations Cup, and both drivers will also take part in the Champion of Champions individual competition.
“I’m really looking forward to racing again and finally being able to take part in the Race Of Champions,” said Häkkinen, who won the F1 driver’s title with McLaren in 1998 and 1999 and most recently competed in one of the manufacturer’s GT3 vehicles at the 10 hours from Suzuka in 2019.
“It will be very different from Formula 1, but I love the competition and it is so spectacular to drive on snow and ice.
“I will try to practice a little with myself in northern Finland before the event.
“It is an honor to represent Team Finland with Valtteri Bottas. We will do our best to win the title and hopefully there will be a lot of Finnish fans who will support us. “
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 1st place, lifts his trophy
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Bottas added: “We have become good friends with Mika, so I’m very happy to have him as my team-mate for Finland in the ROC Nations Cup.
“But then of course we have to try to beat each other in the individual Race Of Champions. It will be entertaining for the fans, whoever wins it. “
Hakkinen joins a number of Nordic drivers for next year’s Race of Champions, including Bottas, nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, three-time rallycross world champion Johan Kristoffersson, and rally stars Petter and Oliver Solberg.
“There has been a longstanding sporting rivalry between the Nordic countries, so a lot of prestige will be at stake, especially between Finland and Sweden,” said Race of Champions President Fredrik Johnsson.
“The local drivers may think they will have an advantage, but the competition from nations like France, led by Sebastien Loeb, and the US with Travis Pastrana will be tough and there are always surprises in the ROC.
“One thing is for sure, it will be very spectacular and entertaining to see.”
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