Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher are both legendary figures in F1 and have a combined total of nine World Championships between them. They shared a unique rivalry during these peak years, built on their mutual respect for each other.
Hakkinen spent his best years in F1 with McLaren, where he won two Championships. Schumacher was in the midst of a dominant spell at Ferrari, and it was Hakkinen who was always at this tail, ready to challenge him. Years have passed since their rivalry, but Hakkinen still holds it in high regard.
Good times. Thank you for sharing Wouter 🇫🇮🔥👍 #flatout #lifeisarace https://t.co/bFniqo3ZX6
— Mika Häkkinen (@F1MikaHakkinen) January 4, 2023
Recently, a fan on Twitter shared a video of a young Hakkinen and Schumacher battling it out during a karting race. This video dates back to 1986 and it was Liedolsheim. Hakkinen was happy to see this video and shared the video on his account. ‘Good times, thanks for sharing,’ he wrote.
Also read: New Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur is holding ‘secret talks’ in Maranello
Start of Michael Schumacher & Mika Hakkinen’s decade-long rivalry
Schumacher and Hakkinen shared a rivalry that spanned more most of the late 20th and early 21st century. However, one of their most enticing battles was back in Macau during an F3 Grand Prix. The race in Macau that afternoon saw plenty of future stars battle it out on the streets of the island.
Among them, Hakkinen and Schumacher’s battles stood out. The Finn was on Schumacher’s tail for the majority of the race. The format of F3 back then was based on a heat system, so in the final outing, all Hakkinen had to do was be within 3-seconds of Schumacher to win the race.
Unfortunately for the future Ferrari driver, Hakkinen got a bit too close for comfort. He had him on his mirrors for the majority of the race, but Hakkinen crashed into his rear. It was only the latter who suffered, whereas Schumacher went on to win the Macau Grand Prix.
It was the start of a very long rivalry between the two legends of F1, but they were always respectful of each other, and never fought. This is what made their rivalry so unique.
Also read: Seeing Lewis Hamilton being called ‘Sir’, Tyson Fury demands ‘Crown’ from the Royal Family
