by Topher Smith
I have watched a lot of motor racing footage in my lifetime, not just of Formula 1 but many other categories as well such as IndyCar and old-school CART, rallying, endurance racing, and more recently electric racing such as Formula E.
My earliest memory of watching motor racing for the first time was the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix. I'm sure I watched F1 before this with my father but my hazy memory prevents my mind from going back further. The first full season I remember watching was 1999, which is forever etched into my mind as one of my favourite seasons in history.
Back in 1999, the man was Mika Hakkinen. The only driver who the mighty Michael Schumacher ever feared as a competitor.
📸 Hakkinen would take the second of his two titles in ‘99.
The Flying Finn was fresh from his maiden F1 title in 1998 and backed it up with his second the following season. Newish to F1 at this point as a very young fan, I was naturally drawn to those who were winning as they spent most of the race in view of the TV cameras.
I could very easily have been just as drawn to Ferrari with Schumacher and Eddie Irvine, who became the de facto team leader after Schumacher broke his legs at Silverstone. Incidentally, I will always have respect for Mika Salo for the way he performed and conducted himself as substitute for the stricken Schumi.
📸 Schumacher’s high impact British GP crash had a huge effect on the 1999 season.
In retrospect, another driver who garners my full respect from that season is Heinz-Harald Frentzen. I didn't realise it so much watching that season at the time, but Frentzen was an absolute giant-killer that season with two surprise victories and an unlikely title bid in the midfield Jordan 199.
But there was something about Hakkinen’s swashbuckling style that drew me in and helped me find my love for motor racing. This was backed up the following season in 2000 when he performed his famous overtake on Schumacher around the BAR of Ricardo Zonta at Spa-Francorchamps.
📸 If you’ve not seen this pass…GO SEE IT! Perhaps F1’s best ever?
I would have felt sad about his departure from F1 at the end of 2001, as it was announced he was taking a sabbatical. When are you coming back, Mika?
📸 Hakkinen conducted an F1 test in 2006 but to no avail.
Under the impression that he would return possibly in 2003, it never felt like a goodbye. However, my attention soon turned to his heir-apparent as his fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen took the reins at McLaren and undoubtedly could have won the title once or twice with the Woking team with a bit more luck/reliability on his side.
📸 Raikkonen with McLaren.
I've only encountered Hakkinen once in person in my time, this was outside Charing Cross station in London when I spotted him deep in conversation with someone I didn't recognise. I've never made a habit of bothering celebrities for photos or anything as I knew I wouldn't enjoy it much myself if I was famous, so I let him be to get on with his day. Having said that, a part of me still wishes I had gone and at least shaken his hand. Maybe one day…
📸 Image credits: Formula Motorsport Limited, McLaren Racing, ESPN.
Comments