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How Mika Hakkinen figured out how to beat Michael Schumacher in the 1998 F1 Title race

Originally posted on HITC | By Guadalupe Carniel | Last updated Nov 2, 2025 7:01 AM ET

Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher shared some memorable battles in the late 1990s, and the Finn has now explained how he managed to get the better of him before their showdown at the 1998 Japanese Grand Prix.

As Formula 1 approached the turn of the millennium, Hakkinen established himself as a regular race winner, eventually capturing back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999.

Hakkinen believes McLaren’s decision to bring in Adrian Newey was a game-changer for his career. The addition of the famed designer helped elevate McLaren during an era dominated by Williams.

Even with his championships that followed, Hakkinen still considers Newey’s arrival as one of his most important moments in F1. In his view, Newey was exactly what McLaren needed to build a title-winning car.

Mika Hakkinen shares how he beat Michael Schumacher in the 1998 F1 title showdown

In a recent appearance on F1’s official YouTube channel, Hakkinen looked back on the moments that led to his title-clinching win at Suzuka in 1998, becoming Finland’s first Formula 1 world champion.

He said: “The World Championship race in ’98, in Suzuka. It was the last Grand Prix of the year. I had a few points lead compared to Michael Schumacher that weekend. It was really tough.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images

“I was thinking, like, what am I going to do? How am I able to win this race? I was thinking about how I’m going to go to the first corner, what I’m going to do in the first lap, and what I’m going to do in the second lap.”

“And then I thought, hold on a second. I don’t even know if I’m going to lead the race in the first corner. So where am I going to put my focus and concentration?”

Hakkinen added: “Then I thought, Mika, put all your energy into only the start. So when the light goes off, just focus on that.

“I thought I just had to go for it. Just have to make it [the] best start of my life. And it worked.”

Mika Hakkinen would go on to replicate his feat at the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix

Hakkinen and Schumacher went head-to-head again early in the 1999 season, but Schumacher’s title bid ended abruptly after he suffered a broken leg in a crash at Silverstone.

At that point, Hakkinen held an eight-point lead over the German and soon found himself up against Eddie Irvine for the rest of the campaign.

Hakkinen sealed another championship with another win at Suzuka. Trailing Irvine by four points going into the final race, Hakkinen needed nothing short of perfection – and that’s what he delivered.

Irvine could only manage third place, leaving Hakkinen to secure back-to-back world titles.

Schumacher returned for the final two rounds, taking pole in both but settling for second place finishes.

The rivalry between Hakkinen and Schumacher didn’t end there. The two clashed again during the following seasons, including a memorable incident at Spa in 2000 that left both drivers frustrated.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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