Suzuka was the last and World Drivers' Champion title deciding race of the F1 season 1999. The reigning champion, McLaren's Mika Häkkinen was four points behind Ferrari's Eddie Irvine, and he had to win the race to become a WDC champion again.
In qualifying Irvine's team mate and Häkkinen's arch rival Michael Schumacher took the pole position with Häkkinen alongside on the front row. So on Sunday race, when the start lights began to go off, Häkkinen knew he would need a start of a lifetime - the best start he ever had, at the start he needed it the most. No pressure!
In this classic clip two time Formula 1 champion Mika Häkkinen takes us through the starting procedure of Suzuka GP 1999. What was going through his mind and how he was able to stay calm under the gigantic stress?
21 сен 2023
