Mika Hakkinen's Chilling Description of His 1995 Crash

[@formatique_arschloch]

"Helped me to slow down." Won two championships after waking up from a coma.

[@zacharyradford5552]

I sure he means enjoying life outside racing.

[@formatique_arschloch]

@@zacharyradford5552 Yep, I got it :)

[@SocietyUnplugged]

In a column on the site of McLaren he explained what happend. He didn't slowed down immediately but this crash was haunting him more and more each race that followed. Coulthard did beat him before the sabbatical because Mika was no longer dearless behind the wheel. And as we all know his sabbatical turned into a retirement from F1. This crash not only changed Mika but Ron Dennis too.

[@ab8jeh]

​@@SocietyUnpluggedI seem to recall hearing he had thoughts of retiring when he stalled on the grid that time and all the cars came rushing past. Can't remember the race though.

[@renorailfanning5465]

" Cracking the skull...it's not fun" Gotta love his deadpan responses.

[@formatique_arschloch]

Typical finn.

[@tyler_drdn]

Hospital was 200 meters away, so there was a lot of positive things :)

[@tylsimys67]

He's a Finn. We're the last persons to dwell on the yesterday's miseries when there's no point to it anymore..

[@miguelelgueta5830]

​​@@tylsimys67i love so much your culture guys, that pragmatic point of view of life is what could make the world better, I just wish that you guys had conquered Asia, the Americas and Africa and not the goddamn idiots from Spain and England or the stinky French

[@lipsy440]

I was a 10 year old boy when this crashed happened less than 50m away from me, I honestly have never forgotten the sound of the thud as he hit the barriers right in front of us, still such a vivid memory

[@ryanlu6103]

Are you still sccarred for life

[@buttlessimp7965]

@@ryanlu6103 lol

[@bojandolinar1535]

It is interesting it is the sound that always sticks in memory in trauma situations.

[@easyenetwork2023]

Was it almost as loud as a bomb going off or more like a loud shot?

[@gringostarr69]

I was on my first gp at 1994 in Hungaroring and Coulthard crashed just in front my eyes. I was 12 that summer..

[@The_ZeroLine]

I had always thought Sid did the tracheotomy, but: “A fortune for Hakkinen was the fact that there were two doctors standing right at that bend. They were intensive care specialist Jerome Cockings and neurologist Stephen Lewis. These two doctors were on the spot within seconds of the accident. It would prove to be the rescue of Mika Hakkinen. Although Sid Watkins, the 'house doctor' of Formula 1, was still on his way to the accident at that time, both doctors proved extremely competent and placed a Tracheotomy in the neck of the Finn when it was found that he had no air intake. Because of the serious injuries to the face of Hakkinen, the blood that ran out of his mouth that became increasingly grey and both doctors decided to place this incision on the spot. Watkins then arrived on the spot and decided not to interfere with the course of events.”

[@easyenetwork2023]

Watkins was a trauma specialist I believe, but yes, medical care has to be left be when started by other experts unless you are better, objectively speaking.

[@THENAMEISQUICKMAN]

Watkins, Lewis and Cockings were fucking legends.

[@AldoOviedoGaming]

The hair trump wishes he had

[@twitchbandit3141]

Aldo Oviedo RENT FREE

[@PeRRXX]

Twitch Bandit what?

[@borismuller86]

PeRRXX Trump supporters always say he’s living rent-free in people’s heads. Retards.

[@Jimaybob]

Twitch Bandit I mean yeah people think about him, he is the president of the United states...

[@PeRRXX]

Boris Müller that’s what I never understood. He’s not living in anyone’s head rent free, he’s the president of an entire fucking country, of course people are going to think about him.

[@martinadrianarcenas867]

this explains a little bit more why its hard for mika to talk about schumi's condition..not negating the respect and history they have together.

[@tvicic]

no, cracking the skull is no fun at all. Finnish sense of humor :o)

[@0wly]

He actually said you know ,craccing the skull is not fun but its his accent that makes it sound lile no, cracking the skull is not fun

[@natashagoode501]

I worked for AusHealth Medical Services who cared for him at the RAH as well as his family. It happened a couple of years before I started working for them, I remember the crash well. I was told of a story where he was cranky one day in hospital because a staff member couldn't locate the brand of Finnish orange juice he wanted. She even went to the central markets to get the freshest possible - the Riverland (couple of hours outside of Adelaide) has some of the best quality oranges in the world. But when you're that ill, you're going to crave things you can't have and your fuse is going to be short. The Marshalls were all volunteers, and it was a real kick to be able to in to watch the race for free however which way you could get it. It just so happened that the Medical Marshalls at that corner were some of the best in the world, and specialised in the injuries he sustained. Pure stroke of luck. Mika should be dead. He came back some years later and opened the Helipad on the top of the RAH (which has since been rebuilt in another location). Everyone was really touched. :)

[@Bruh-jr2ep]

Beautiful story. Thanks for sharing :)

[@ouruhuru]

The battles this man had with Schumacher are some of the greatest memories of watching F1 back in the day. Every win really meant something.

[@SpeckmannLIVE]

God bless you Mika. Biggest Gentleman in F1 History.

[@TheGojaofficial]

That's very true comment my friend!

[@blacktoothfox677]

Oh... Jacques Villeneuve though, his conduct was so so amazing, also Graham Hill. Bear in mind I say this, Hakkinen is my all time favourite. Since that astonishing overtake maneuver at Spa, him and the Michael either side of the lapped minnow... Wow.

[@manuelmontiel5418]

@ Timmeyyy 0815 so true a total sportsman gentleman, not a pig as James Hunt was rip....

[@mayafostok5534]

factssss

[@TheGojaofficial]

I always liked this gentleman... Since I started to watch F1 his humble and his way of driving was perfect combination to make him as a biggest driver in my eyes!

[@Nebras]

TheGojaofficial Did you listen to his interview in beyond the grid ? it was amazing making me like him more and more

[@DiegoCargnin]

What a magical hair lol.

[@violetevergarden3132]

Diego Cargnin Donald Trump tho

[@lmtliam]

Hakkinen's isn't bad either.

[@Bruh-jr2ep]

@@violetevergarden3132 Excactly what came to my mind🤣

[@manuelmontiel5418]

@@violetevergarden3132 you mean trumps wanabee hair ?

[@violetevergarden3132]

@@manuelmontiel5418 yep XD

[@GaryLaaks1]

The only F1 driver that Schumacher feared. In my 55 years of following F1 - Prost, Hakkinen and Raikkonen are my favorite of all time.

[@joshualiang3485]

"the Ron"

[@nanderlizernanderlizer684]

"i overtook the schumacher"

[@stefanos821]

@@nanderlizernanderlizer684 *the Michael

[@709mash]

I love how he just uses peoples first names with "the" in front of it. So deadpan, I love it.

[@Nassyy]

Before his eventual retirement, he convinced McLaren to sign the Kimi, but this comes at the expense of the 'Quick Nick'.

[@surajbalajr.4016]

"The Michael" 😂. Love this man to bits ❤

[@fidan2fast]

"it helped me to slow down"... Jesus Mika, how much faster could have you been in 1998 to 2000?

[@lauroneto3360]

Cracking the skull..it's not fun because... You don't have to justify that bro.

[@mrfertilebus]

“Cracking the skull, is not fun” i mean you wouldn’t have thought, fucking love this guy

[@geckobeats3226]

After all of this, after a story about something that nearly cost his life.. "I got a mission here, I've been doing this sport all my life, let's try to win" What a fucking legend.. One of the rare, Mika Häkkinen...

[@torif1girl454]

Still love him. Always have, always will. Made me fall in love with F1.

[@Gh0sTPro]

5:48 I'm here to win. Let's continue until that happens.

[@muhammedyeksek128]

He is dave mustaine.

[@mlg_420quickscope]

Muhammed Yeksek yeah haha

[@matthewdavis7674]

I thought I was the only one that thought this hahaha

[@blacktoothfox677]

@@matthewdavis7674 #metoo

[@outhdare]

I very much like how he does not want to introduce himself as a hero who survived something bad, or to gain sympathy, he gives no cheep or pathetic speech, just real emotions and thoughts of a man who survived an awful accident. Something to really congratulate in these days when fake sentiments and PR talk took over some drivers.

[@timomastosalo]

Tells what impact the attention culture has had. The drivers in their 20's have been in front of phone cameras and all those social media picture fame hunting groups since they can remember: maybe before they went to school, if their parents got hooked to that already.

[@rekosylvius9089]

Im finnish and thats just how the majority of finns act😂

[@TheBrass18]

I was always shocked how exposed the driver's neck and head were in that era, even lil of the shoulders were visible from the side of the cockpit! I mean, c'mon FIA, you don't have to a genius to know in any accident, the neck and head is gonna be seriously injured if you don't have any support.

[@seandbrass508]

TheBrass18 “the Ron”

[@outhdare]

At the same time, Indycar covered well their drivers.

[@borismuller86]

The weird thing is F1 drivers were against seatbelts too. They didn’t want their senses impeded, when they’re travelling at that speed.

[@timomastosalo]

And Erlier in the 60's they were more exposed, and driving in flammable torpedos

[@RBenjo21]

Headrests came in for 1996, the sidepods raised for 1997 to make headrests stand out less, and HANS for 2003 would ensure that Hakkinen would have walked away from that crash in 03 onwards.

[@939Batze]

Ron and The Rons wife was there

[@Nassyy]

Sounds like Ron is the Don.

[@mercamia]

Don Rennis

[@knmsondre]

«Cracking the skull is not fun.”

[@Toffeeabi81]

I was a big fan a fan a Mika I remember his accident as much as I remember senna and ratzenburgers fatal accidents. I was so worried for him. Homes seems like such lovely guy.

[@mattjc1021]

Loved watching Mika race as a kid in the late 90s. Absolute G to climb back into the car after the crash, let alone win 2 titles. I really admire him walking away when he started his family.

[@azapro911]

The way his head bashes off the cockpit... 😨

[@maza5ren]

I heard from the accident from the finnish news in the Morning. My heart sunk.

[@709mash]

If he was going to crash hard, at least he did it in the right spot with the medics and hospital so close. Also goes to show how far safety has come, as he would most likely have been fine in a modern car. Just seeing his head bounce around is scary.

[@jadenviljoen3800]

Ok ok ok, Mika has a better hairline than most of the 14 year olds in my class..

[@tonyy.8852]

*sisu*

[@foxtrotalphaone]

3:32 Mika describes having to watch numerous cranial nerve exam ASMR videos.

[@ZsebtelepHUN]

You can clearly see how he is still shocked when having to remember that crash. I obviously cannot know what he is thinking, but Mika gave an interview after winning the 99 drivers title, and said that he felt utterly exhausted, not after the final Japanese gp, but already after the previous one, where he was struggling, having to fight Michael holding him up for the entire race for Eddie in Malaysia. Not long after he had the steepest decline ive seen from an F1 driver. This crash has really had its toll on his career long years after. And it seems to me that Mika might have felt that this was unfair. He suffered a crash that would surely get people retired in any given profession, yet he had to continue and expectations were incredibly high.

[@IMHAVINHOOPS]

Mika is awesome. A really classy driver, who probably could’ve won more championships. He’s also funny as hell. I think Schumacher described him as the best he ever race & the driver he had the most respect for.

[@maurorodrigues8939]

What an interview

[@allainangcao28]

Me: How bad could it possibly be? *video shows Mika’s face smashing on the steering wheel at over 140 kph and his visor pops open in the process* Me: B A D

[@reno9k]

more like 140mph

[@badgumby9544]

I don't care for F1 drivers normally. But Mika is different. I've always like him. He seems down to earth, no arrogance what so ever and genuinely a nice guy.

[@TroystonB]

The Ron's wife, the Lisa.

[@pokeboi5438]

Luck was certainly on Mika’s side that day

[@titancheat]

One of the best drivers ever and a nice guy. 👍

[@renaldosimpson8755]

The GOAT

[@franklinmint7394]

Trump to his hairdresser:"I'll have the mika "

[@skeptic10]

Mika and JJ were my favorites. JJ was out of F1 and then this crash happened. It was devastating. I thought we'd lose him as well. I was also 16 at the time so it was tough one to swallow. The off season was a long wait. He also had a new teammate who was already a race winner, David Coulthard. In the Melbourne qualifying he not only beat Coulthard but both Benettons and was P5. Only Williams and Ferraris ahead. He had a solid race and was P5 in the race as well. I realized at least his driving skills were intact. In the interviews he sounded a bit different though. Before the crash he spoke perfect English and now kind of struggled to find words. The same with Finnish interviews. He used to talk much faster and was way more talkative. Now he kind of paused more often and talked much slower. It was such a great feeling when he won his first GP and the drivers titles in 1998 and 99.

[@radroast7354]

That hospital is closed now that saved his life very lucky

[@ditroia2777]

rad roast more accurate to say it has been moved to another site.

[@radroast7354]

@@ditroia2777 its name has but the complex is going soon

[@ditroia2777]

rad roast yes I know I live in Adelaide. The royal Adelaide hospital still exists though.

[@radroast7354]

@@ditroia2777I'm stating the hospital that he was saved in is no longer open and closed down.

[@ditroia2777]

rad roast it has not closed down it has moved.

[@Mails013]

We were very lucky that day that Mika survived after the horrible death of Senna. Imagine if the worst happened and we lost another world champion.

[@NikitaOnline17]

It's admirable how positive he his about every aspect of this lol Sure i cracked my skull, but look on the bright side, i did it right next to the hospital I couldn't move, so i just relaxed and took a nap This near fatal crash taught me to take things slow with my life Probably the most negative thing he says is that it wasn't fun

[@RossBayCult]

The McLaren chassis from 1993 to 1996 was god awful

[@easyenetwork2023]

He would have probably had raccoon eyes that looked blood red or dark purple because of blood vessels bursting around his eyes. Skull fractures are ugly because of the trauma.

[@fra93ilgrande]

Massive respect for this man 🗿🔝

[@volleyballurrrr]

Mika is the realest

[@AngryChineseWoman]

"A crack in the skull is not fun" I believe him

[@AutismoInternational]

He looks like and talks like KDB

[@noxvi4753]

How did his skull crack I've watched the onboard but I cannot explain it?

[@kingofdaplayazball5817]

He hit his head on the steering wheel during the initial impact with the wall. 120mph to 0, with a force of around 200g

[@nanderlizernanderlizer684]

it happened to fast to see

[@noxvi4753]

@@kingofdaplayazball5817 yep I rewatched it a couple of times

[@phildurre9492]

Noxvi whatch it without slow motion;)

[@salvatoremattei4776]

What a MAN

[@jj4485-o5o]

Could have easily ended deadly. Absolutely gruesome.

[@xooperz]

You know, he would've died there on the track if not for the quick action of Professor Sid Watkins.

[@seansizer4609]

Total legend.

[@julianlawrence-ball2279]

Hmm one layer of old tyres isn’t enough of a crash barrier for an F1 car me thinks 🤔

[@ucheucheuche]

Mikka vs Alonso Go Karting fun.

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Hakkinen spoke for five minutes straight?

[@bdmillfrancisco5960]

He doesn’t call Australian doctors and nurses!

[@ontophantom8668]

One year later, at the next Australian GP, he went to that hospital again to personally thank all the doctors once more.

[@crestfallen821]

Can somebody explain to me how that impact caused a fraction of his skull and problems with his breathing? To me the crash does not look that hard in comparison to other incidents.

[@joselaya5778]

watch the onboard mate he was moved around like a ragdoll

[@phildurre9492]

Crest Fallen hitting the wall at 150 km/h can easily kill you :) perhaps check his head movement at the impact and look it in real time, not slow motion

[@Sliqhs]

When he first hit the barrier his helmet smacked into his steering wheel, you can’t see it in the footage since it happened so fast. This movement could cause damage in the neck, like whiplash or a basilar fracture. Since the impact was well over 100g his throat pretty much closed when his head made contact with the wheel...if you move your head down suddenly you can sometimes feel your throat move in a weird way since it wasn’t designed to handle sudden changes like that.

[@aleksandarstupar3121]

agreed

[@runkkupate6917]

Mika näyttää jos Tampereen Tero ja Trump sais pojan.

[@Charlie-nc3cp]

this man is my true father

[@TheENxis]

I never realized Mika had Donald Truimp hair...

[@Kasmuller]

Wrong Trump copied mika But he sorta failed

[@pingpongpung]

It's Häkkinen, not Hakkinen.

[@SeshvirSeodutt]

That’s Donald trump

[@АлексейТитарев-щ3э]

БЛЯТЬ МЕСТАМИ ПОМЕНЯТЬСЯ НИКАК????????????

[@carlosneto5655]

Axl Rose?

[@mlg_420quickscope]

Carlos Neto Dave Mustaine

[@louisbeeston7647]

The finnish accent sounds like a chinese accent

[@kvin9210]

Not really

[@formatique_arschloch]

No.