MIKA HAKKINEN, 1998 & 1999 CHAMPION

One of the most popular and respected stars of Formula 1™
and a worthy double champion

'; ?> After recovering with astonishing speed from a heavy crash during qualifying for the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, the Finnish driver just gets faster and faster.

He claims his first win in 1997 at Jerez, but his major breakthrough comes the following season. With renowned ex-Williams designer Adrian Newey joining the McLaren Mercedes team, Hakkinen finds himself driving the fastest car in the field and opens up a significant gap during the first part of the season.

Hakkinen’s great rival Michael Schumacher almost pegs him back as the 1998 championship nears its finale, but the Finn stays cool and clinches the first of his two titles in the final Grand Prix of the year in Japan.

Amazingly, his title defence the following season comes down to another last-race showdown, again in Japan. Having showed signs of stress earlier in the season, including tears at Monza, Hakkinen quickly regains his famed composure to see off the Ferraris of Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.

In 2000, the Finn loses out to Schumacher in the title race, but to many fans, Hakkinen can still claim bragging rights from that season. That is mainly down to his staggering 200mph simultaneous overtake on the German and backmarker Ricardo Zonta up the hill from Eau Rouge at Spa.

Hakkinen’s tenure at McLaren Mercedes comes to a close with another, considerably less dramatic, crash in Melbourne  – and then a final win at Silverstone.

Following his near-fatal accident in 1995, the sport changes its regulations to increase driver safety in the cockpits.

Mainly, though, the Formula 1™ history books remember Mika Hakkinen as an incredible talent and a worthy double champion.

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