Mika Hakkinen was born in September 28 1968, in Helsinki maalaiskunta, in Finland. He is a two times formula one world champion and he is considered by many to be Michael Schumacher's greatest rival.
At the age of five Hakkinen raced his first race with a go-kart. Although he had an accident on his fist lap, he continued racing and finally got his own go-kart. Since 1986 he had won 5 karting championships. Keke Rosberg helped Mika Hakkinen in his early steps, by aiding him through the junior categories of open wheel racing. He won the three Scandinavian championships with Opel Lotus, and also the British formula three championship. He was also close in winning the Macao Grand Prix in 1990 but an accident did not allow him to, though this success resulted in his promotion in formula one with the Lotus team.
In 1991 he made his debut with Lotus qualified 13th and he would have finished in that position but he had an engine failure in lap 60. He scored his first points ten races later in Imola where he finished 5th. In 1992 he continued his form scoring points in six Grand Prix with his best finishes being 4th places in France and Hungary. He finished the season coming 8th in the drivers championship. In 1993 Mika Hakkinen became a test driver for Mclaren and he was promoted into the racing team later on.
After Michael Andretti left formula one after disappointing results, Mika Hakkinen took his place in the Mclaren race team. Hakkinen's race debut in Estoril was impressive. He outqualified the Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna but later in the race he slipped and launched the car into the pit wall. A week later he scored his first podium in Suzuka.
In 1994 after Senna departed from Mclaren to Williams,Hakkinen became Mclaren's first driver with Martin Brundle by his side as team-mate. Mclaren also switched to Peugeot engines from Ford. Mika Hakkinen won six more podiums and finished fourth in the drivers championship. In 1995 Mclaren started a long term relationship with Mercedes-Benz. Hakkinen took two second places in Italy and Japan. But in the Australian Grand Prix he had a tyre failure during free practice which caused him to crash heavily into the wall. He was saved only due to an emergency tracheotomy
that was performed by the side of the track. Fortunately Hakkinen recovered almost full and and raced again in 1996, thus only missing one race.
In 1996 David Coulthard joined Mclaren as Hakkinen's team-mate. Hakkinen was very close to winning his first Grand Prix in Spa using a one pit stop strategy, but Jos Verstappen caused a yellow flag and allow all other drivers to make a stop under yellow flag. Based on timing, Hakkinen would have won the race, if this incident would not have taken place. He finished fifth in the drivers championship. In 1997 Coulthard took the first win for Mclaren in over three seasons and Hakkinen made his first win in Jerez. In 1998 Hakkinen found himself in the fastest car. So
he used this advantage by winning eight Grand Prix and his first world championship. In 1999 Mclaren was not as reliable as the previous year. Hakkinen lost some points in the beginning of the season but by the time of Schumacher's accident in Silverstone, where he had broken his legs, Hakkinen overtook the German in the standings, thus winning the title again.
In 2000 Hakkinen made a good start but the improved Ferrari with Michael Schumacher behind the wheel did also well. Hakkinen got close on winning the championship once again but in the end he did not. Michael Schumacher has won the title after an epic duel between him and Mika Hakkinen in Japan. In 2001 Mclaren was not competitive and it was Coulthard who carried the threat to Schumacher. Hakkinen had a bad season though there were times were he reminded people of his skills. In Silverstone he dominated the race to take his first win in the season, and in Indianapolis he won last Grand Prix of his career. He retired at the end of the season.
After Mika Hakkinen's retirement, rumors had been talking about a possible comeback. First he was to return in formula one as a driver for Williams due to the fact that Juan Pablo Montoya was going to Mclaren. And after this there were rumors again about a possible return in 2007, but Mclaren gave this position to young Lewis Hamilton. Mika Hakkinen retired from his career in formula 1 after winning 20 Grand Prix, 51 podium finishes, 420 career points, 21 poll positions and setting 25 fastest laps, in 165 races.
