RACING ICONS LIVE UP TO THEIR STAR BILLING IN UK SHOWS 

Over 2,000 Formula 1 fans packed Nottingham’s Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall on Monday night for an enthralling show featuring F1 legends Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard. Häkkinen, twice Formula 1 Drivers’ Champion, together with 13-times Grand Prix winner Coulthard, brought McLaren the World Championship for Constructors in 1998.

The evening, compered expertly by the face of Channel 4’s F1 coverage, Steve Jones, was curated by Fane Productions, in partnership with Performance Insights. The show, the first of seven UK dates, represented the first fruits of the recently announced collaboration that is bringing the very best in F1 entertainment and talent to audiences around the world.

When tickets for ‘An Evening with Racing Icons Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard’ show went on sale back in April, few could have predicted a near sell-out tour. Certainly not the headliners themselves, who seem to forget just what long-lasting legacy they have made on the sport of Formula 1 and its passionate fanbase. Fast forward five months and a packed Nottingham crowd flocked to the venue to hear from two legends of the sport.

Earlier in the day, pre-show rehearsals and soundchecks with Fane’s slick production team and the sheer professionalism of Steve Jones hinted at what was to come. The backstage area was buzzing with excitement as the former McLaren team-mates arrived, any nerves well-hidden with Mika breezing in coolly, and DC bringing his broadcasting skills to the fore.

As the crowds arrived, Häkkinen and Coulthard enjoyed a pre-show meet and greet with a small group of guests who brought a range of memorabilia to have signed by the pair, as well as gifts to welcome them to the UK. Despite dates covering the country, some of Monday’s attendees had come to Nottingham from Scotland and Ireland just to be part of the opening evening. And they were in for a treat.

The opening half of the show delved into the legends of the sport, their origin stories and rise to success; what Jones described as a ‘bare your soul’ chat included unfiltered discussion about their partnership and their feelings looking back nostalgically at some of F1’s key moments. What was particularly fascinating was the depth of insight and self-deprecation that both former drivers were able to deliver with panache, honesty, and humour.  

Clips, kindly supplied by F1, brought some of racing’s most classic moments roaring back to life on the big screen including notable first wins, infamous collisions, and highlights of the crash-strewn 1998 Belgian Grand Prix that was won by Jordan Grand Prix. A poignant celebration for the late Eddie Jordan was to be one of the evening’s most touching moments. You could hear a pin drop.

After a brief interval, the second half was handed over to the public who had submitted questions to the duo. Few topics were off the table as the pair reviewed the current state of F1, as well as their historic partnership. It made for an insightful, open, entertaining, and intimate show with two heroes who continue to represent and advocate for F1 and who are ideally placed to share stories that resonate with a wide demographic.

On Tuesday, the show moves to Liverpool before two dates in Scotland, then Birmingham, Dublin, before the chequered flag waves in London on Sunday.

Some tickets are still available: https://www.fane.co.uk/mika-david