Mika Hakkinen

1. Who is he?

Mika Häkkinen is a former Finnish pilot. He was born on September 28, 1968 in Vantaa (Finland), and is known for winning the Formula 1 World Championship in 1998 and 1999 with McLaren.

2. Junior course

Mika Häkkinen follows a usual course, starting with Formula Ford in Scandinavian countries. Champion in 1987, he did it again in the Formula Opel Euroserie the following year. But the revelation comes from England. The national Formula 3 championship is then considered the toughest in the world. In 1990, he dominated his compatriot and friend (they grew up on the same street) Mika Salo with nine successes. At the end of the year, the excursion to Macau ended in a fierce battle with a certain Michael Schumacher, which ended in a collision and the latter's victory. His potential was enough to catch the eye of Team Lotus, who hired him to start in Formula 1 in 1991.

3. F1 journey

Unfortunately, the Hethel formation (Great Britain) is in decline. Fifth in Imola (Italy) from his third start, he most of the time experiences difficult races, or even non-qualifying (two). More comfortable once the new Lotus 107 was assembled in 1993, he decided to sign for McLaren in 1993. The subsequent appointment of Michael Andretti cast him back to the role of test driver, until the Portuguese Grand Prix, where he surprised Ron Dennis by beating the great Ayrton Senna in qualifying. Third on the demanding Suzuka circuit (Japan) a few weeks later, his progress came to a halt in the summer of 1994 when the Race Direction banned him from a race for a collision in the peloton at Hockenheim (Germany). ). In no way destabilized, he finished the campaign very strongly with four consecutive podiums and a final place at the foot of the podium. In 1995, Mercedes became McLaren's engine supplier. The association takes time to produce results, but what we will remember from this lackluster year is its accident during testing in Adelaide (Australia). Seriously injured (skull fracture, internal bleeding in particular) Mika Häkkinen is plunged into a coma. But, rather than frightening him afterwards, the impact against the concrete wall motivates him to come back even more determined to succeed in his goal: to become world champion. Convalescent throughout the winter of 95-96, Mike Häkkinen will regain his strength with increasing strength. Constantly in the top 6 over the last 10 rounds apart from two retirements, he will referee from afar the duel between Williams and Ferrari in 1997. During the final in Jerez (Spain), he finally won his first victory. The winning machine is ready for 1998, the year of the introduction of grooved tires and narrower tracks. He then found his best enemy Michael Schumacher on the path to the title. The gray and black McLaren faced the red Ferrari throughout the season, until the Suzuka final where Michael Schumacher retired with a puncture. With eight successes in 16 GPs, Mika Häkkinen acquires No. 1 in style. 1999 will not be a formality despite the broken legs of the Red Baron halfway through. Indeed, less mentally strong, he broke down in front of the fans in Monza (Italy) and burst into tears after a trivial driving error, while he was leading the debates. Promoted to interim leader at the Scuderia, Eddie Irvine made life difficult for him but “the flying Finn” held on and won a second title thanks to five victories. In 2000, Michael Schumacher returned to his best level. The duel resumes with a vengeance, and offers enthusiasts a legendary image at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium). At the end of the race, the McLaren tried to overtake the Ferrari, without success, until the BAR of the latecomer Ricardo Zonta appeared on the Combes straight. “Schumi” passes to the left, Mika Häkkinen to the right, and surprises his opponent. The energy of the “sisu” will not be enough to prevent the Prancing Horse from finishing in front, in particular because of an engine failure in Indianapolis (United States). Finally, the 2001 season will not be sparkling. Demotivated after touching the Grail and worried about suffering another accident (a broken suspension having sent him into the tires in Australia), Mika Häkkinen ended his career with a fifth final position.

4. AUTOhebdo’s opinion

Mika Häkkinen is one of the rare drivers to have destabilized Michael Schumacher. For his tenacious behavior alone, he deserves respect. Add to that his tremendous comeback following a terrible accident in 1995 and you have proof of a driver with strong character! The Finn also excelled in the art of qualifying, and had a certain sense of humor beneath his cold Nordic exterior.

Mika Häkkinen's results in F1

Highlights of Mika Häkkinen's F1 career

AUTO - F1 1999 - GREAT BRITAIN - MIKA HAKKINEN (FIN) / MCLAREN MERCEDES - WORLD CHAMPION - ACTION - PHOTO: DPPI

AUTO - F1 2000 - BELGIUM - SPA FRANCORCHAMPS 000827 - MIKA HAKKINEN (FIN) / MCLAREN MERCEDES OVERTAKING MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (GER) / FERRARI - ACTION - PHOTO: RUBIO / RV RACING/ DPPI

Ambiance on the podium with Hakkinen Mika (fin), West McLaren Mercedes, McLaren-Mercedes MP4-13, Coulthard David (gbr), Irvine Eddie (gbr), Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Ferrari F300 during the Japanese Grand Prix, 16th round of the 1998 FIA Formula One World Championship, from October 29 to November 1, 1998 on the Suzuka Circuit, in Ino, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan - Photo Gilles Levent / DPPI