Mika Häkkinen
Mika Häkkinen
Mika Pauli Häkkinen (born 28 September 1968) is a Finnish former racing driver. He competed in Formula One between 1991 and 2001, winning the Drivers' Championship in 1998 and 1999 with McLaren. He is the only Finnish driver to date to win the Formula One World Championship.
Early life and karting career
Häkkinen was born in Vantaa, Finland, on 28 September 1968. He began karting at the age of five, and by the age of 10 he was winning races. In 1987, he won the Finnish Karting Championship.
Formula Three and Formula Two
In 1987, Häkkinen moved up to Formula Three, racing in the British Formula Three Championship. He finished sixth in the championship in his first season, and in 1988 he finished second. In 1989, he moved up to Formula Two, racing in the European Formula Two Championship. He finished third in the championship in his first season, and in 1990 he finished second.
Formula One
Lotus (1991–1992)
Häkkinen made his Formula One debut with the Lotus team in 1991. He scored his first points in his second race, the United States Grand Prix, and he finished the season in 16th place in the Drivers' Championship. In 1992, he scored points in five races, and he finished the season in eighth place in the Drivers' Championship.
McLaren (1993–2001)
In 1993, Häkkinen moved to the McLaren team. He scored his first podium finish in the second race of the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix, and he went on to score points in 10 races. He finished the season in fourth place in the Drivers' Championship. In 1994, he scored points in 10 races, and he finished the season in sixth place in the Drivers' Championship.
In 1995, Häkkinen won his first Formula One race, the Portuguese Grand Prix. He went on to win four more races that season, and he finished the season in fifth place in the Drivers' Championship. In 1996, he won five races, and he finished the season in fourth place in the Drivers' Championship.
In 1997, Häkkinen won eight races, and he finished the season in second place in the Drivers' Championship. In 1998, he won eight races, and he won the Drivers' Championship. He became the first Finnish driver to win the Formula One World Championship. In 1999, he won five races, and he won the Drivers' Championship for the second time.
In 2000, Häkkinen won four races, and he finished the season in third place in the Drivers' Championship. In 2001, he won two races, and he finished the season in fifth place in the Drivers' Championship. He retired from Formula One at the end of the season.
Sauber (2002)
In 2002, Häkkinen returned to Formula One with the Sauber team. He scored points in four races, and he finished the season in 10th place in the Drivers' Championship. He retired from Formula One at the end of the season.
Personal life
Häkkinen is married to Erja Honkanen, and they have two children, Hugo and Aina. He is a keen golfer and skier. He is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Achievements
- Formula One World Champion (1998, 1999)
- 20 Formula One Grand Prix wins
- 51 Formula One podium finishes
- 26 Formula One pole positions
- 25 Formula One fastest laps
- Member of the Finnish Motorsports Hall of Fame
- Member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame
