Mika’s five formidable F1 performances
Häkkinen’s Lotus outings hinted at greatness but in these races he proved his world-class credentials
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1993 Portuguese GP (DNF – crash)
“Häkkinen was the breath of fresh air F1 needed in Estoril, and he bounced into the paddock like some golden retriever puppy that had finally been let off the leash on which it had been held all season.” So wrote David Tremayne in Motor Sport following Mika Häkkinen’s maiden race for McLaren, stepping in for a disheartened Michael Andretti who had returned to the US defeated by his sorry F1 experience. Never mind Mika crashed out of the race; that he’d outqualified and ruffled Ayrton Senna on his maiden outing in Dayglo and white was more than enough. Especially when he followed up his landmark with another: a first F1 podium, in Japan. The positive signals at former team Lotus were no red herring, then.
1996 Australian GP (5th)
A couple of points scored in a Melbourne season-opener better remembered for Jacques Villeneuve’s striking F1 debut. It doesn’t amount to much – without context. Less than four months earlier Häkkinen had nearly died trackside in Adelaide after a violent practice crash. He had no right to be back in Australia on an F1 grid so soon, in the wake of the emergency tracheotomy, the coma and the winter of doubt over whether he’d ever be able to do this again. Yet here he was anyway, outqualifying and out-racing new team-mate David Coulthard for a “personal victory”. “At the age of 27, I still believe he’s got a future,” manager Keke Rosberg told Motor Sport’s Mark Skewis. He did.
1998 Luxembourg GP (1st)
The first win had come in odd circumstances at Jerez at the end of 1997. But this season, armed with Adrian Newey’s first McLaren, Häkkinen’s status as a true contender was no longer in doubt. Except Ferrari and Michael Schumacher had the momentum as F1 headed to the Nürburgring for the penultimate round, Michael now equal on points with Häkkinen. A brilliant pass on Eddie Irvine for second set the tone, before Mika pumped in a series of ‘qualifying laps’ as McLaren chose to go long to jump Schumacher at the first stop. Shellshocked Michael was beaten at his own game, on home soil. At Suzuka, Schumacher choked by stalling on the grid, leaving Häkkinen serene as champion – three years after his graze with death.
2000 Belgian GP (1st)
The second title had been far less convincing in the wake of Schumacher’s broken leg at Silverstone – he’d almost let Irvine steal the crown. But Häkkinen had to be back to his best to take on Schumacher and Ferrari as the millennium turned. The best moment – of his career, not just the season – came at Spa, after Schumacher had typically and outrageously edged the McLaren on to the grass at 200mph. Revenge was swift a lap later as a startled Ricardo Zonta found himself lapped on either side, Häkkinen slicing past both his rival and the BAR in one inspired move. How he then calmly explained to Michael how the block had been unacceptable – in view of the cameras but out of earshot in parc fermé – was a touch of pure Häkkinen class.
2001 United States GP (1st)
The mojo was nearly spent, as the Schumacher/Ferrari steamroller gathered momentum. Häkkinen had only announced a sabbatical, but most took it as the retirement it turned out to be. Spain and the last-lap exploding clutch while he lead by 40sec had been a kick where it hurts most, but he roused to win at Silverstone and there was still time for this 20th F1 win at Indianapolis. Starting fourth after being penalised for a pitlane breach, Häkkinen and McLaren went long. Mika was the last of the frontrunners to stop, then put the hammer down and secured a win made more comfortable by retirements for Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barrichello. Still, one race before his last, Häkkinen signed off with dignity, style and grace. DS
