The Demise Of Mika Hakkinen

[racer10]

WHY IS MIKA QUITING? IS IT A CASE OF THE MICHAEL'S OR JUST NO MORE PASSION. IS IT BECAUSE THE ONCE SUPERIOR MCLAREN MACHINE IS BEING OUTPACED BY THE ONCE LACKLUSTRE WILLIAMS? IS IT BECAUSE HE NOW HAS TO R-A-C-E TO OBTAIN A DESIREABLE GRID POSITION? IS IT BECAUSE DAVID IS BETTER THAN EVER? OR IS MRS. HAKINEN PULLING THE STRINGS? PERHAPS ITS BABY HUGO, AND IF SO, THE MORE NOBLE HE IS. WHATS YOUR TAKE??

[Number Juan]

ever heard of the phrase quit while ur ahead? well, mika hasnt done that this year.

[nameless]

I would say it is probly because he has won two championships, he's got nothing left to race for and his passion has gone. And the family gives him a reason to take a break.

[Victor Broccoli]

He's won two back-to-back titles. What does he have to prove by still racing in a lacklustre and unreliable machine?

We already know that he's the second best of the decade, and that his determination and speed over one lap is rivaled by nobody. The shot of Mika's McLaren with no wheels on the ground says it all.

He has a family now. He shouldn't have to worry about this. We should just give this champion the proper send-off he deserves.

[Redneck]

Mika has been much more emotionally involved in racing than most. He is burned out for now. Nike Lauda took a 2 year sabatical and came back for another championship. I do not think Mika's career is over.

[Craig]

There has been a *lot* of politics behind the scene - much more than most will be aware of... this will almost certainly come out in the future when Mika decides the time is right...

[Raoul Duke]

Mika is having a year very similar to Damon Hill's final year in F1. His heart just doesn't seem to be in it anymore, and I question whether or not this "sabatical" will do him any good, or if it's just best for him to retire alltogether. I will be sad to see Mika go, I have found memories of seeing him beat TGF throughought the 98 and 99 seasons. But every driver's time to retire comes eventually.

[JeremySmith]

Originally posted by Victor Broccoli
He's won two back-to-back titles. What does he have to prove by still racing in a lacklustre and unreliable machine?

We already know that he's the second best of the decade, and that his determination and speed over one lap is rivaled by nobody. The shot of Mika's McLaren with no wheels on the ground says it all.

He has a family now. He shouldn't have to worry about this. We should just give this champion the proper send-off he deserves.

perfect Victor! you explained it in a nut shell..End of story, thank you Mika for providing some realy fantastic driving for us to watch over the last ten years or so..Mr Hakkinen a true gentleman, I will really miss him

[Liz]

This isn't the "demise" of Mika, and thank heavens for that! It is only the retirement of Mika, and I'm sure we will see him round the place in the future. He's a man who knows what he wants - and after coming back from near-death to win back-to-back championships, I believe he has proved anything he may have had to prove (he didn't have to prove anything to ME) and now if he'd rather stay home and enjoy his family, good for him.

It's a wise man who knows what he wants and is strong enough to go for it.

[Bononi]

When I read the title, I thought "somebody's gone crazy".

But Liz said it right.

Ditto Liz.

[The Moon Monkey]

Mika clearly feels that McLaren will not be that competitive in 2002 - hence he is bailing out. He proved at Silverstone that he could still win races. There is little point in Hakkinen racing for the sake of it at this point in his career after 2 title wins.

He has generally been poor this season because of the car. Maybe this is why Coulthard has looked good in comparison...?

I think it is similar to 92 when Gerhard Berger ran Senna close in the McLaren Honda team. 3-2 to Senna in wins and I think they were separated by a point at the end of the season. The point was that the McLaren team was unable to challenge Mansell in the Williams. Like this year, Hakkinen (and Senna in 92) were run alot closer by team mates who were normally inferior in a situation of being less competitive as a whole.

I think Hakkinen could still win another title - whether he gets a chance remains to be seen...

[Alan Jones]

Fantastic driver but the thing I will miss the most is his post race interviews, Mika is a witty dude with a great sense of humour

[TimD]

God, the title of this topic scared me...

It's nice to know that Mika has been decisive about his future. It means he can go out on a celebration at the end of the season, and it means McLaren and Kimi Raikkonen can start to prepare early.

And after a couple of years of looking after Hugo and generally getting under Erja's feet, no doubt Mika will want a new challenge. How about Sports Cars, or Historics - something to exercise the competitive instinct and stir the soul.

[Sodemo]

What amuzes me is all that **** Keke Rosberg was spouting like "he has a seat for 2002" and "he will be at Mclaren in 2002" etc.

[f1manoz]

Demise of Mika Hakkinen???

No, no. He's just retiring and thankfully it was his own decision, contrary to popular opinion which says he has been forced to make way.

Mika's won two titles, numerous races, has proved he's at just about the level of TGF, so he is now leaving the sport to raise his family, and good for him.

Hakkinen has had enough. Unlike certain other drivers, he is not after records, he wants to win for the pure pleasure of winning and race for the pleasure of racing. And this year has brought him no pleasure whatsoever.

I want to say thankyou to you Mika, for the wonderful memories that you have given us all and wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavours. Perhaps we may even see you around the paddock once more.

Signed

A Proud Mika Supporter