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Two of Formula 1’s most recognisable names, Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard, are set to reunite in Adelaide next year for the 2026 Repco Adelaide Motorsport Festival, making their long-awaited debuts at the iconic event on February 28 and March 1.
The pair, who spent six seasons as McLaren teammates between 1996 and 2001, will return to Adelaide three decades after their first season together, joining the action with both on-track demonstrations and off-track appearances. It will be their first Adelaide visit since their F1 racing days.
Häkkinen, a two-time Formula 1 World Champion with 20 career wins, last raced at the Adelaide Grand Prix in 1995. That year he famously survived a life-threatening qualifying crash, spending weeks in the Royal Adelaide Hospital before returning two years later to open the hospital’s helipad. His return to the city is set to be a poignant one. “Returning to Adelaide after so many years promises to be a special experience. The city holds a range of emotions and memories for me, not least the support I received following my crash in 1995,” Häkkinen said.
Coulthard, who claimed 13 Formula 1 wins across his 15-season career, also raced in Adelaide in 1995, memorably leading the race before crashing out. Today he remains heavily involved in the sport as a Red Bull Racing ambassador and television commentator. “Adelaide was my first-ever Australian Grand Prix in F1 back in 1995, so it will be a trip down memory lane,” Coulthard said. “Adelaide played an important role in the history of Formula 1, so it’s a fitting venue to share our passion for motorsport with fans.”
While the cars that the duo will drive are yet to be revealed, organisers have confirmed their participation in both live demonstrations and appearances at the Adelaide Marriott Grand Marquee across the weekend. Fans can expect plenty of interaction and nostalgia as the iconic teammates take centre stage.
The Adelaide Motorsport Festival will once again deliver non-stop track action, with categories including Formula 1, V8 Supercars, touring cars, sportscars, motorbikes, drift cars and more. Beyond the racing, the event will feature static car displays, kids’ zones, food trucks, bars, exhibitors and activations in a relaxed picnic-in-the-park atmosphere.
Early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are on sale now, with prices held at 2025 rates for a limited time. Weekend passes, single-day tickets, and premium options including Beer Garden and Pagani VIP Suite hospitality are available.
For more details and tickets, visit AdelaideMotorsportFestival.com.au.
