RN365 Podcast FIA 'crunch' meetings begin as Verstappen successor named
Login

Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in
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.

Mika Häkkinen Latest F1 news

McLaren facing 'horrible' scenario as F1 title fight intensifies
0
McLaren facing 'horrible' scenario as F1 title fight intensifies
Throwback
Michael Schumacher crushes McLaren after absurd Ferrari request
0
Michael Schumacher crushes McLaren after absurd Ferrari request
VIDEO: Hakkinen on whether Hamilton is the best of all time
0

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.

NEW RN365 STATS!

Explore the latest F1 results and every stat you can imagine - From Max Verstappen to Michael Schumacher and from Ayrton Senna to Lewis Hamilton — explore every stat from the first Grand Prix to the latest race.

Explore the RN365 Stats Hub

Latest news
More news

F1 calendar 2026
F1 calendar 2026
Race Date
usa Miami GP 03 May 2026
can Canadian GP 24 May 2026
mco Monaco GP 07 Jun 2026
esp Barcelona GP 14 Jun 2026
aut Austrian GP 28 Jun 2026
gbr British GP 05 Jul 2026
Full calendar

Bezoek RacingNews365.nl

En lees het laatste F1 nieuws in het Nederlands!

Naar RacingNews365.nl Niet meer tonen
x
LATEST Red Bull admit to 'paying the price' over major F1 car decision