Legends of F1 - Mika Hakkinen
- 6 years ago
Committed, fearless and, above all else, stunningly quick, the immensely popular and likeable Hakkinen went toe-to-toe with Schumacher at a time when the German was undeniably at the very peak of his powers and came out on top on more than his fair share of occasions. His back-to-back titles of 1998-1999 were the prized rewards for a decade-long career at motorsport's top level that while only fully delivering on the Helsinki-born star's promise in its later years, provided its highlights throughout.
Like a number of drivers who have gone on to become multiple race winners, it took Hakkinen the best part of 100 races before he finally stood atop an F1 podium, yet many had rated him for years - no more so than McLaren chief Ron Dennis. The Englishman had signed him on the back of promising early showings at Lotus in 1991-1992 and, after biding his time as a test driver, the young Finn was promoted to a race seat alongside the legendary Ayrton Senna towards the end of 1993. He made an immediate impression too; announcing his arrival by outqualifying the sport's long-established one-lap king at the very first attempt.
Hakkinen's initial years at McLaren coincided with one of the least fruitful periods of the Woking squad's illustrious history and a handful of podium finishes were the best he could achieve in his first three seasons. The Finn was lucky to survive, let alone continue racing, after a horrific accident in the final round of 1995 in Australia after a tyre failure pitched him into a concrete wall and medics had to perform an emergency track-side tracheotomy.
That he returned to racing was an achievement in itself; that he came back stronger and within two years was winning races was extraordinary. As McLaren's engine partnership with Mercedes-Benz began to bear the first fruits of success, Hakkinen signed off from 1997 with his maiden victory at Jerez and then kicked off the next season with another win in Australia, although both were unfortunately overshadowed by team order rows.
A more emphatic victory in Brazil followed and a succession of strong results saw Hakkinen dictate the World Championship race in the first half of the season. Schumacher and Ferrari came charging back though and heading into the penultimate round and the former F3 rivals were suddenly tied on points. Two-time champion Schumacher was now favourite, but Hakkinen arguably saved his best two performances until last - winning at both the Nurburgring and Suzuka to deservedly seal his maiden title.
With both driver and car at the peak of their powers, Hakkinen became just the seventh driver to achieve back-to-back titles the following year although, with main threat Schumacher sidelined by a broken leg from mid-season, he perhaps made harder work of it than he should up against Ferrari number two Eddie Irvine.
Like a number of drivers who have gone on to become multiple race winners, it took Hakkinen the best part of 100 races before he finally stood atop an F1 podium, yet many had rated him for years - no more so than McLaren chief Ron Dennis. The Englishman had signed him on the back of promising early showings at Lotus in 1991-1992 and, after biding his time as a test driver, the young Finn was promoted to a race seat alongside the legendary Ayrton Senna towards the end of 1993. He made an immediate impression too; announcing his arrival by outqualifying the sport's long-established one-lap king at the very first attempt.
Hakkinen's initial years at McLaren coincided with one of the least fruitful periods of the Woking squad's illustrious history and a handful of podium finishes were the best he could achieve in his first three seasons. The Finn was lucky to survive, let alone continue racing, after a horrific accident in the final round of 1995 in Australia after a tyre failure pitched him into a concrete wall and medics had to perform an emergency track-side tracheotomy.
That he returned to racing was an achievement in itself; that he came back stronger and within two years was winning races was extraordinary. As McLaren's engine partnership with Mercedes-Benz began to bear the first fruits of success, Hakkinen signed off from 1997 with his maiden victory at Jerez and then kicked off the next season with another win in Australia, although both were unfortunately overshadowed by team order rows.
A more emphatic victory in Brazil followed and a succession of strong results saw Hakkinen dictate the World Championship race in the first half of the season. Schumacher and Ferrari came charging back though and heading into the penultimate round and the former F3 rivals were suddenly tied on points. Two-time champion Schumacher was now favourite, but Hakkinen arguably saved his best two performances until last - winning at both the Nurburgring and Suzuka to deservedly seal his maiden title.
With both driver and car at the peak of their powers, Hakkinen became just the seventh driver to achieve back-to-back titles the following year although, with main threat Schumacher sidelined by a broken leg from mid-season, he perhaps made harder work of it than he should up against Ferrari number two Eddie Irvine.