It was one of Formula 1’s iconic duos that will be forever remembered in the sport. It only lasted a few years – but what a few years it was.
But even when it ended after one of Japan’s perhaps less memorable grands prix, it still felt like there should have been a bit more life in it beyond that afternoon in Suzuka. At the time, there was.
This is why Mika Hakkinen’s retirement, now 23 years ago, from F1 really is a bit sad. After the season finale in Suzuka the double world champion competed in the pinnacle of motorsport for the final time. However, on the day – he was still due an eventual return.
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The issue was back in 2001, Hakkinen’s planned departure from the sport was seen as a temporary one – a sabbatical as it was described at the time. A year off to recharge the batteries then straight back for the 2003 season firing again and on the charge for a third world championship.
This was understandable. Between 1998 and 2000, he and Michael Schumacher had competed fiercely but fairly for the world championship in one of the most enjoyable eras of the sport.There is a caveat for 1999, where Schumacher’s title hopes were ended after breaking his legs at the British Grand Prix, but the battles for the world championship in 1998 and 2000 are some of the most fondly remembered in the history of the sport – tying at 1-1.
Michael vs Mika, Ferrari vs McLaren and it all played out with one of the greatest soundtracks of Murray Walker and Martin Brundle in the commentary box. What a time to be an F1 fan.
Mika Hakkinen is still a Formula 1 paddock regular
Turning point of Schumacher vs Hakkinen
But that rivalry turned into a one-way demolition almost overnight as the Ferrari winning machine started to really hit its stride at the start of the century.Hakkinen’s awful start to the 2001 season put him severely on the back foot and when he retired on the final lap of the Spanish Grand Prix in high drama while leading to hand victory to Schumacher, it seemed like his title hopes went up very prematurely along with his Mercedes engine.
The Finn was left on just four world championship points, and 32 behind Schumacher in an era when there were only 10 points available for a win and just six for second place. With Ferrari also proving strong at just about every circuit, it was difficult to see a way back for Hakkinen.So it proved. Hakkinen didn’t grab his first podium until the eighth race of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix (that only doubled his overall points total to eight).By the time he ended his 14-race winning drought at the British Grand Prix, there were only six races of the season left. Two races later, Schumacher was crowned world champion for the fourth time. Hakkinen started to hit his stride a little better later in the season, even winning in the United States in his penultimate race. But even then, the victory at Indianapolis was the only time he defeated team-mate David Coulthard on the track all season.
It was one of Formula 1’s iconic duos that will be forever remembered in the sport. It only lasted a few years – but what a few years it was.
But even when it ended after one of Japan’s perhaps less memorable grands prix, it still felt like there should have been a bit more life in it beyond that afternoon in Suzuka. At the time, there was.
This is why Mika Hakkinen’s retirement, now 23 years ago, from F1 really is a bit sad. After the season finale in Suzuka the double world champion competed in the pinnacle of motorsport for the final time. However, on the day – he was still due an eventual return.
The issue was back in 2001, Hakkinen’s planned departure from the sport was seen as a temporary one – a sabbatical as it was described at the time. A year off to recharge the batteries then straight back for the 2003 season firing again and on the charge for a third world championship.
This was understandable. Between 1998 and 2000, he and Michael Schumacher had competed fiercely but fairly for the world championship in one of the most enjoyable eras of the sport.There is a caveat for 1999,
