Mika Hakkinen 'the Flying Finn' began his F1 career with the Lotus team in 1991 scoring 2 points, and stayed until 1992, his best result with the team was a 4th place in the 1992 Hungarian GP. He signed for McLaren in 1993, but spent most of the season as test driver, taking over from Michael Andretti at the Portuguese GP, and finishing in 3rd place at the Japanese GP that year. Mika then spent 1994 and 1995 settling in with the team, and building up valuable experience. He suffered a horrifying accident in Australia in 1995, sustaining serious head injuries. Fortunately he made a rapid recovery, returning in 1996 to take 5th pace in the title race. That was followed in 1997 with 6th place in the championship and his first GP win in the European GP at Jerez in Spain.In 1998 Mika was superb, taking his first title and 8 GP wins in the process. He repeated that feat to take the title again in 1999 with 5 more GP wins, although Michael Schumacher was absent for several races after breaking his leg at the British GP. In 2000 Ferrari were strong, and Mika could not prevent Schumacher from taking the title back, although he did take 4 more GP wins. It was much the same in 2001, however Mika roared to outstanding GP wins at Silverstone and Indianapolis, but managed only to finish 5th in the championship.Retired from Formula 1 in 2001.
Nationality - Finnish
Born 28 September 1968
First GP USA 1991
Total GP's 161
Wins 20
Poles 26
Fastest laps 25
Total points 420
Teams
-Lotus
-McLaren
Claim to fame
-Double World Champion
-1998, 99
