Getting Started in Motorsports
Mika Häkkinen was born on September 28, 1968 in Vantaa, Finland. From a young age, he showed an interest in motorsports. At just 5 years old, his parents took him to a go-kart track near their home in Helsinki. Despite crashing on his very first lap, Mika was undeterred and begged his parents to buy him his own go-kart.
With his own go-kart, Mika spent years honing his skills and rising up the ranks of karting in Finland. He won his first regional karting championship at 11 years old in 1979. Over the next several years, Mika dominated karting in Finland, winning numerous championships across different series and age groups. His skill behind the wheel earned him the attention of former F1 world champion Keke Rosberg, who became his manager.
Junior Formula Success
With backing from Rosberg, Mika graduated to single-seater racing in 1987 competing in Formula Ford and immediately found success. He won three Formula Ford championships in his debut season. The following year he won the prestigious Opel Lotus Euroseries title.
In 1989, Mika stepped up to the British Formula 3 Championship with West Surrey Racing. He struggled in his rookie F3 season but turned it around in 1990 by winning the title in dominant fashion with 10 wins and 10 pole positions. His standout year caught the attention of the declining Team Lotus F1 team. Despite Lotus’ troubles, they represented Mika’s passage into Formula 1.
Early Formula 1 Years with Lotus & McLaren
Mika Häkkinen made his Formula 1 debut with Team Lotus in 1991. Though the uncompetitive Lotus machinery prevented any chance at major success, Mika impressed by scoring points in just his third Grand Prix at Imola. He spent two seasons with Lotus before a contract dispute led him to sign with McLaren for 1993.
Now driving for a top team, Mika was originally signed as a test driver while racing duties were given to the legendary Ayrton Senna and IndyCar star Michael Andretti. However, when Andretti departed F1 abruptly, Mika seized his opportunity. In his first race as Senna’s teammate in Portugal, he stunned the F1 world by outqualifying the icon on his McLaren debut.
The following year Senna moved to Williams, giving Mika the McLaren lead drive. Though he won his first podiums in 1994, his season was marred by incidents including a race ban. In 1995, Mika had established himself as a frontrunner before a savage qualifying crash at the Australian Grand Prix left him fighting for his life with severe head injuries.
Return From the Brink
After miraculously surviving his frightening accident in Adelaide, there were doubts whether Mika could return to racing. But just months later, he completed a private test for McLaren and proved he had lost none of his formidable speed. When the 1996 season kicked off, Mika picked up right where he left off by challenging for podiums.
The following year, Mika developed into a consistent race winner and took an emotional first Grand Prix victory at Jerez. He entered 1998 as a bonafide title contender alongside Michael Schumacher. In a season-long duel between McLaren and Ferrari, Mika ultimately prevailed to deliver his first world championship.
Back-to-Back World Titles
As defending world champion in 1999, Mika faced the toughest battle of his career. A broken leg for Schumacher looked to give Häkkinen the upper hand early on. But Ferrari and new lead driver Eddie Irvine mounted an unlikely late title challenge. At the decider in Suzuka, Mika kept his cool to finish ahead of Irvine and seal his second straight championship.
In 2000, Schumacher returned for Ferrari leading to another fight for the crown between the two rivals. Though he won multiple races, Mika narrowly lost out to Schumacher for the drivers’ title. 2001 marked Häkkinen’s final season in F1 with the 32-year-old feeling increasingly drained maintaining success at the pinnacle of motorsport.
The End of a Remarkable F1 Career
At the end of 2001 after nearly a decade racing for McLaren, Mika Häkkinen announced he would take a sabbatical year from Formula 1 in 2002. His intention was to spend more time with his young family away from F1’s demanding schedule and risks while determining if he had the motivation to return.
As that year progressed, the Finn made clear a comeback was unlikely as he enjoyed precious time with his wife and newborn son. By mid-2002, the incredibly successful partnership between driver Häkkinen and team McLaren officially came to an end as the Flying Finn decided to permanently retire from Formula 1 driving at just 33 years old.
Despuite ending the career, Mikka is still an active person in the F1 paddock. He’s a TV expert, often conducts interviews with the drivers and closely follows the action.
The Facts & Figures
- 165 Grand Prix entries
- 20 Wins
- 26 Pole positions
- 51 Podium finishes
- 2 World championships (1998-1999)
Though his F1 career ended at the age of just 32, Mika Häkkinen battled against adversity to establish himself as one of the fastest drivers in F1 history. His electrifying speed, intense rivalry with Schumacher, and back-to-back titles in the late 1990s cemented his reputation as a McLaren and Finnish national hero.