According to autosport.com, Gerhard Berger instigated Mika Hakkinen’s recent test with McLaren. Speaking about the Finn’s return to GP racing, the Scuderia Toro Rosso Boss admitted to coercing the driver to drop his DTM career and try F1 again.

McLaren have confirmed that former F1 driver Mika Hakkinen will be testing for them in Barcelona on Thursday.

Retiring from the sport after the Japanese GP in 2001, this will be the first time the Finn will return to the cockpit of an F1. In the last few weeks, speculation was mounting that the 38 year-old would back be in the frame of an F1 car.

Double Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen has been appointed ambassador for McLaren sponsor Diageo through its Johnnie Walker brand.

This latest news comes as Hakkinen might be on the comeback to F1.

“My years on the racetrack have shown the vital role responsibility and control play in motor sport, these principles are just as important for drivers on the road around the world.”