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Homepage Formula 1 Mika Häkkinen Latest F1 news

Known as the only driver Michael Schumacher ever feared, Mika Hakkinen won back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999 sealing his place amongst the greats of F1.

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Hakkinen began karting at the age of five and achieved success instantly, winning several regional titles. After accumulating further triumphs in the national and Nordic classes, the Finn made the transition into formula cars in 1987. Over the course of four seasons in the junior formula, the ‘Flying Finn’ would accumulate four titles including the British Formula 3 championship in 1990. Hakkinen would also qualify on pole for 1990 Macau Grand Prix, though he would ultimately make a mistake on the final lap, losing the race to his future adversary, Michael Schumacher.

His performances in Formula 3 were good enough to earn him a permanent race seat with Lotus in 1991. The Finn would spend two years with the team learning the tricks of the trade before joining Mclaren as a test and reserve driver in 1993. He would however transition into a permanent position when Michael Andretti left the team midway through the season. Hakkinen would spend three full campaigns with the team before attaining his first win. During this time he would also suffer a near fatal accident at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix when a tire failure threw his car sideways into a wall. He would make a remarkable recovery thanks in large part to the fantastic medical team at the circuit and at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

After another year of near misses Hakkinen would claim the first win of his career at the season ending European Grand Prix in 1997. This would serve as a catalyst for the Finn as he would go on to dominate the next two years, winning the drivers’ championship in 1998 and 1999. He would finish as a runner up to Schumacher in 2000 before dropping down to fifth in 2001. At the end of the season Hakkinen announced that he would take a sabbatical from the sport which turned into a retirement.

Hakkinen continued his racing career competing in the DTM series for a few years before retiring from motor racing altogether in 2007, though he continues to make the odd sportscar appearance from time to time.

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