Mika Hakkinen and Mika Salo

[Gerhard Berger]

So going back in time a bit, i was watching Hockenheim 1999 last night before going to bed, and listening to Murray Walker's commentary, he said of Salo and Hakkinen "Do they like eachother? Not one bit!".

I was just wondering if anyone knows the story behind this?

[NathanOlder]

As far as im aware, it was a "heated" rivalry in F3. Im sure someone a bit older than me will be able to remember it first hand.

[designerx]

As far as im aware, it was a "heated" rivalry in F3. Im sure someone a bit older than me will be able to remember it first hand.

That correct, add to that that they were both touted as the next 'flying Finn' and by the 1999 German GP the OP refers to Salo probably had a stronger dislike for Mika, given that he was now a World Champion and clearly the leading Finnish driver.

[Websta]

If you want to win, hire a Finn

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

As far as im aware, it was a "heated" rivalry in F3. Im sure someone a bit older than me will be able to remember it first hand.

Stemmed from Salo's bitterness. He was done for drink driving early in his career when both he and Hakkinen where regarded as equals. Hakkinens career took off and Salo's faltered.

[aduka11]

Something like Frentzen and Schumacher...

MS took his girlfriend

[xpensive]

If it hadn't been for Michael Andretti's half arsed drive with McLaren in 1993, Häkkinen's F1 career gone the same way as Salo's, who gave away his one and only chance of a GP win to Eddie Irvine in Germany 99, he was never repaid for that one.

Finally being replaced at Toyota by someone like Christiano da Matta must have been the ultimate humiliation for Salo.

All in all, I have sympathies for the man and can understand his bitterness towards Häkkinen for his luck.

[GTROM]

If it hadn't been for Michael Andretti's half arsed drive with McLaren in 1993, Häkkinen's F1 career gone the same way as Salo's, who gave away his one and only chance of a GP win to Eddie Irvine in Germany 99, he was never repaid for that one.

Finally being replaced at Toyota by someone like Christiano da Matta must have been the ultimate humiliation for Salo.

All in all, I have sympathies for the man and can understand his bitterness towards Häkkinen for his luck.

The history behind Mika H's 1993 race/test seat is well-documented, he was brought in as replacement to Senna when it was unclear if Senna would drive or not. He would have partnered Andretti (if he was still in the cards in 1994) once Senna left for the 1994 season, so it is very likely that his destiny did not really change with Andretti's halfassedness - except that he gained some recognition for beating Senna in qualifying but it was not something that defined his career.

[NathanOlder]

Spot on GTROM,

Obviously Hakkinen had proved his worth in the Lotus prior to 93. And in 93 Senna was on a race by race contract so, could have needed Mika to step in at any moment.