Nationality - Finnish
Date of Birth - 28 September 1968
Marital Status - married to Erja, 1 son
Hugo
CAREER HISTORY
Mika Hakkinen went from highly rated newcomer
to late developer in the space of eight seasons, overcoming adversity to be
crowned 1998 world champion, before repeating the feat in 1999.
A karting star in his native Finland, Mika was tipped for the top at a young age. His first few seasons in the junior formulae did nothing to dispel this notion, securing three Scandinavian Formula Ford titles in his first season. Hakkinen then divided the inaugural British and European GM Lotus titles with Dragon Racing team-mate Allan McNish, before moving into the British Formula 3 championship.
A difficult first season ended brightly when he switched teams for the now defunct F3 SuperPrix at Brands Hatch and took overall victory. Continuing with West Surrey Racing for his second season in the category, Hakkinen proceeded to dominate the British championship, and was offered a race contract with the struggling Lotus F1 team for 1991.
As a consequence of his team's fading fortunes, Mika spent much of his first two F1 seasons mired in midfield. A best result of fifth at Imola was only bettered by a pair of fourths in his second season - at Magny-Cours and the Hungaroring - as Hakkinen enjoyed a competitive relationship with Johnny Herbert. His fighting qualities had not gone amiss, however, and McLaren offered him a testing contract for 1993.
While many drivers would have baulked at the thought of spending a season on the sidelines, Hakkinen was persuaded to do so by new manager Keke Rosberg. The decision proved to be good one. Although Ayrton Senna performed miracles with the underpowered McLaren-Ford, his team-mate Michael Andretti never came to terms with F1, and returned to his native America with three races of the season remaining. Hakkinen was promoted from testing duties and promptly out-qualified Senna in his first race at Estoril.
When Senna left for Williams, Hakkinen assumed the role of team leader at McLaren. A difficult season with the explosive Peugeot engine still resulted in fourth overall, and a series of podium finishes capped by a fine second place in Belgium.
The Peugeot unit was replaced with a Mercedes in 1995 and, although the initial season proved disappointing, Hakkinen persevered with McLaren. A horrific accident at Adelaide's end-of-season race left Mika in a coma, and with doubts hanging over his Formula One future. Against expectation, however, he made a rapid recovery, and was racing again the following season.
His patience and determination were finally rewarded in 1997 when, following several near misses, he was gifted his first F1 win at the season finale in Jerez. Two further podium finishes netted fifth overall in the title race for the second year running, but a McLaren already looked the car to have for '98.
The clear supremacy of the McLaren-Mercedes combination in 1998 left Hakkinen as a short odds title favourite as early as the second race of the year. A total of eight wins came his way by the final race, leading to a deserved world title, despite the constant threat of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari. Mika showed increased confidence as the season wore on, producing a Schumacher-esque performance in the Luxembourg GP to virtually assure himself of the crown with one race to go. Another assured lights-to-flag victory in Japan merely confirmed his potential.
Hakkinen thus went into the 1999 season with the coveted number one on his McLaren, and continued to form a winning partnership with Britain's David Coulthard. Although Mika suggested that the season would be Coulthard's chance to go for the title, he quickly showed that he meant business. Despite several hiccups along the way, including two self-induced retirements, Hakkinen hung on to clinch back-to-back crowns ahead of Ferrari's Eddie Irvine.
The Hakkinen-Coulthard axis
remains at McLaren in 2000, and can be expected to form formidable opposition
to anyone looking to steal the Finn's title. The new MP4-15 has not blown its
rivals away in testing, but both drivers are sure that it will be right when
it matters.
GRAND PRIX RECORD (TO MALAYSIA 2000)
Starts 145
Wins 18
Poles 26
Fastest Laps 21
Points 383 (World Champion: 1998,
1999)
Debut United States GP (Phoenix)
1991
Driven For Lotus (1991-92), McLaren
(1993-2001)