Kanaan enjoys emotional run onboard Senna MP4/6

©Instagram

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©Instagram

It was Christmas a month and a half early on Sunday at Sonoma for IndyCar legend Tony Kanaan.

The 48-year-old former IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner – who is now a special advisor to Arrow McLaren – crossed off the top item on his life’s bucket list following his run at the Velocity Invitational onboard the McLaren MP4/6 of his childhood hero and friend, Ayrton Senna.

“I mean, I did some cool stuff in my career I have to say, but this is the top favourite thing I’ve done, just for many reasons.

“To be able to experience this with the relationship I had with him [Senna], now with me being part of the McLaren family, I’m speechless. I don’t think I have enough words to describe what this day meant to me.

“I think people will understand what this day meant to Brazil – social media has been going crazy for three days. So I feel extremely lucky.

“I always believe that good things happen to you but I definitely wasn’t expecting to be able to do this.”

McLaren boss Zak Brown had entered several vintage McLaren racers at the Sonoma event, and Kanaan was grateful to the McLaren Racing CEO for giving him the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Zak, I told him this morning, ‘I don’t think I could ever thank you enough for this experience’. It would never have happened if it wasn’t for him and for McLaren,” concluded Kanaan.

Check out here below the video of TK's memorable moment at Sonoma.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.