THE FLYING FINN: RESILIENCE
Master of the junior categories
Mika Häkkinen first gets behind the wheel of a kart at the age of five and learns to drive on ice at eight. There he masteres artistic cornering techniques, such as the ‘Scandinavian flick’, for which he is still admired today. In karting, he racks up win after win. Then, in Formula Ford 1600, he finishes as top Nordic driver in 1987 and wins further two championships in 1988. Now it was time for Formula 3. In 1990, he clinches the title ahead of his friend and compatriot Mika Salo. Finally, at the most prestigious junior-level motor race, in Macau, Häkkinen comes up against the emerging German Michael Schumacher. Mika wins the first race, but retires from the second after making contact with his rival.
A swift rise to the top
His breakthrough in FORMULA 1 comes with Lotus. Despite his car’s lack of performance and reliability, McLaren recognises his talent. However, Häkkinen has to settle for the role of reserve driver at first. Mika finally gets his chance when Mario Andretti’s son, Michael, is dropped three rounds from the end. In his first qualifying session in the MP4/8, Mika Häkkinen beats three-time WORLD CHAMPION Ayrton Senna. When Senna asks him about his time gain, the rookie replies jokingly: ‘I had the balls.’ As a result, the Brazilian did not talk to him for two weeks. In Japan, Mika stands on the podium for the first time in third place. Next, at the final race in Australia, the famous nickname of his career is born. As his McLaren jumps over the kerb and soars into the air, the moment is immortalised. Häkkinen proudly signs the photograph, and so he becomes the ‘Flying Finn’. Driving for McLaren, Häkkinen secures nine podium finishes over the next two full seasons. Ahead of the final race in 1995, he looks forward to improvements in the coming year.
Risk up close
Friday practice, Adelaide, Australia. Approaching Turn 10, the fastest corner on the street circuit, the rear-left tyre starts to lose pressure. Häkkinen is thrown into the tyre barrier and remains conscious but limp. Doctors perform a tracheotomy at lightning speed, after which he loses consciousness. He falls into a coma and wakes up the day after at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. There, he is found to have a skull fracture and a broken cheekbone, a cut on his tongue and broken teeth. After several major operations and courses of treatment, the most recent of which took place in England, Mika returns home. Two long months have passed and physically he is totally out of shape. Will racing still be possible? Häkkinen wants it to be. Now that he is in a top team, giving up all his hard work so far is simply not an option. McLaren calls him, and Mika answers yes. The upcoming test at Circuit Paul Ricard will decide whether the Flying Finn can continue to pursue his dream of becoming WORLD CHAMPION.
