Past Masters: Mika Häkkinen

A new look for Mat F1 heralds the first of many dives into the F1 history book with the start of my Past Masters series.

However, before I begin I must thank Sam Townshend for his work on the new graphics. They may yet change again but I'm sure that you'll agree this blog is already looking much better. Secondly, thank you to James Allen; the man much missed from the TV commentary box was kind enough to pay a visit to this very site a few days ago. He even sent me a message. You may notice the new recommended links section below - check out James' blog to see how a professional does it. : )

So, to Mika Hakkinen. I decided to start with the flying Finn because he was one of my favourites as a kid. I was never a Ferrari supporter, I respect them and think that F1 needs them but I've never supported them. To this end, I guess its natural (especially for a kid) to support those people who manage to beat the red cars. When I was growing up this meant Mika.

Mika Pauli Hakkinen was born on September 28th, 1968. Like most modern formula 1 drivers he started racing at a young age (5) when his parents hired a Go-Kart for him - he crashed on his very first lap! Mika went on to win 6 karting championships by the age of 18 (1986) but his big break came due to the original flying Finn, Keke Rosberg. The 1982 champion arranged sponsorship for his protege which meant that the young racer could move up through the junior ranks of open wheeled racing. On his way Mika won 3 Scandinavian championships, the Opel Lotus Euroseries and the British F3 championship. He moved to formula 1 in 1991 with Lotus.

Unfortuately for Mika, the Lotus of the early 90s was not in the same league as the Williams, McLaren or Ferrari and although he scored points in only his third race it was difficult to do anymore in the cars he was given. Despite this, Mika managed to get himself noticed as a star of the future with some brilliant drives to fourth place in the 1992 French and Hungarian Grand Prix.

A move to McLaren heralded the start of a long and fruitful relationship. He started the 1993 season as test driver for the team but was promoted to No. 2 when Michael Andretti left the sport after some disappointing results. Mika was an instant success; outqulifying team mate Ayrton Senna in their first race together. His first podium came a race later at the Japanese GP in Suzuka.

By 1995 Mika had established himself as the leader of the McLaren team and just as a new partnership with Mercedes was starting to bear fruit something happened which would rock a paddock still shaking from the events of 'that' San Marino GP in 1994. Mika suffered a tyre failure in Adelaide which sent him crashing heavily into a wall. An emergency tracheotomy at the side of the track saved Mika's life that night.

1997 saw Hakkinen (finally) win his first race at the season ending European GP in Jerez. However, he was gifted the win by both Jaques Villeneuve (nursing a car broken by Michael Schumacher) and his team mate David Couthard (team orders). For the next two years, nobody could catch the flying Finn as he swept to two drivers world titles and established himself as one of the sports greatest personalities with some ballsy drives and blistering qualifying.

The 2000 season was one of the most competitive for a while. Both Mika and Michael (Schumacher) went in search of a third world title. The McLaren generally had the edge in qualifying but it was the Ferrari driver who prevailed in the end. However, Hakkinen did pull off one of the greatest overtakes of the decade when he simultaneously passed Schumi and (backmarker) Ricardo Zonta at Spa.

Mika Hakkinen retired at the end of the 2001 season. He seemed to lose his mojo throughout the season. This was fuelled by a McLaren which wasn't of the same standard as the Ferrari but more than this he convinced himself of mechanical problems which didn't exist (notably Monaco). However, flashes of brilliance in Spain, Britain and America ensured everyone was sad to see Mika go.

He was, according to Michael Schumacher, "the driver I feared the most." Enough said.