Grapevine: Hakkinen Says he Will Never Race in F1 Again
Two times World Champion Mika Hakkinen says he will never race in Formula One again.
Two times World Champion Mika Hakkinen says he will never race in Formula One again.
"Of course it's over! Write that. I'm ready to sign that," Hakkinen was quoted as saying in Monday's Iltalehti tabloid newspaper. "I'm now 36 years old. I'm not young anymore. Age is inevitably becoming an issue.
"It is impossible to think that I would drive in F1 for example in the 2006 season, because all the time the day is drawing nearer when my reactions become slower, my vision weakens and so on. That's the law of nature."
Hakkinen, champion with McLaren in 1998 and 1999 and still the last man to beat Ferrari's Michael Schumacher to the title, last competed in Formula One in 2001 but was linked with a possible comeback last year.
The Finn instead signed for Mercedes in this year's DTM German Touring Car championship.
Schumacher, winner of a record 13 races in a single season last year, is also 36 and now the oldest driver in Formula One. He is chasing his eighth title in 2005.
Share Or Save This Story
How McLaren picked up each of its record 12 Brazil F1 wins
What history tells us about Verstappen’s F1 title race turnaround
Why criticism of Monaco is often wide of the mark
Antonelli takes a decisive step in Montreal's all-action thriller
Russell "lost for words" after heartbreaking Canadian GP exit
F1 Canadian GP: Antonelli lands F1 2026 blow as Russell retires in Montreal
LIVE: F1 Canadian Grand Prix updates - Antonelli leads as Russell and Norris among six retirees
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments