Hakkinen, Mika Pauli
Born: September 28th, 1968
Nationality: Finland
Years in F1: 1991-
Raced with: Lotus, McLaren
World Champion: 1998, 1999
GP Starts :142
GP Wins :16
Podiums :44
Poles :25
Front Row :33
Fastest Laps :18
WC Points : 348
*Mika began karting when he was only six years old
*Mika's first go-kart was bought from the famous Finnish rally driver Henri Toivonen.
*Mika managed to get an F1 contract without driving F3000. He drove his first race at Team Lotus (USA, Phoenix 1991).
*After driving two years at Lotus, Mika's manager, Keke Rosberg, was able to sign Mika as a test driver for McLaren (1993).
*Michael Andretti, who was driving for McLaren was fired when there was still 3 races to go. McLaren gave their young test driver a change and Mika impressed them. At his first race he outqualified his team mate Ayrton Senna!
*Since then Mika has been driving for McLaren. He has now won two World Championships (1998-1999).