Mika Hakkinen will be remembered as the genial world champion of 1998 and 1999. (Clive Mason / Allsport)


Profile of Mika Hakkinen

HOCKENHEIM, Germany, (AFP) - Profile of Mika Hakkinen who announced his retirement from Formula One racing Friday.

Date of birth: September 28, 1968.

Nationality: Finnish

Residence: Monaco


Grand Prix races 161

Formula One debut: 1991 US Grand Prix, Phoenix, Arizona

Pole Positions: 26

Victories: 20

World driver's championships: 2 (1998, 1999)


Career highlights

1991: Formula One debut with Lotus. Scored two points when fifth at San Marino

1993: Moved to McLaren. Scored four points for the season.

1995: Had severe head injuries in a crash in practice at the Australian Grand Prix, Nov.1995.

1996: Returned to finish fifth in the driver standings with 31 points.

1997: First victory in Formula One, European Grand Prix at Jerez, Spain in October. Sixth in standings

1998: Won season title with 100 points winning the final race, the Japanese Grand Prix with Michael Schumacher second in the standings. Eight wins in total this year.

1999: Won season title for the second time, with 76 points winning the final race, the Japanese Grand Prix with Eddie Irvine second in the standings. Had five wins.

2000: Second in the standings with 89 points behind Michael Schumacher with four wins.

2001: Fifth in the standings with 37 points behind Michael Schumacher. Two wins. At Italian Grand Prix in September he said he was taking at least a year off to consider his future in racing.

2002: Announced retirement at the German Grand Prix.