Mika Hakkinen’s System 1 profession was highlighted by two drivers’ world championships, 20 grand prix victories, 26 pole positions and 25 quickest laps. However the ‘Flying Finn’ achieved all this following his darkest day on the Australian Grand Prix on 10 November 1995.
Throughout Friday qualifying, his McLaren-Mercedes suffered a left-rear tyre deflation on the method to Brewery Bend – the quickest nook on the road circuit. He hit the tyrewall at an estimated 120mph, and his helmet struck the aspect of the cockpit inflicting a fractured cranium.
Trackside medics needed to carry out an emergency tracheotomy earlier than he was transported to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a coma.
“My accident in ’95 was fairly a problem. This occurred in Australia, in Adelaide, I used to be going flatout on lengthy straight. Simply once I was coming into the nook, it didn’t explode, it simply pfffffft – misplaced the strain in a short time,” Hakkinen stated within the Motorsport Heroes movie.
“So the automobile began bottoming, and I misplaced management after all. There was huge kerb on the exit, and naturally I hit the kerb and the automobile bounced a few instances. I hit the barrier sideways.
Mika Hakkinen, McLaren
Picture by: Sutton Photos
“I used to be in a coma for a couple of days. Then the horrible issues began once you get up. You begin realising like ‘oh my God’. I banged [my head] so arduous that I misplaced management of 1 aspect of my face, as a result of the nerves acquired broken. So once I was sleeping they needed to tape over one in every of my eyes, to make it shut.
“Then got here the time once they began checks, to see should you can odor usually, you may style usually. I used to be there for 5 weeks, and my girlfriend flew to Australia to assist me.”
In a subsequent interview with GP Racing journal, Hakkinen was requested if he felt that the accident had slowed him down any.
“No, I do not assume I might have been faster, however I believe I might have continued my profession longer,” he replied.
“It had an impact on me. It made me realise that when an accident like that occurs – and it might occur at any time in F1 as a result of motorsport is harmful – it made me assume, as quickly as I received my world championships, ‘Hmmm… do not push your luck any additional’.”
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