Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas is a giant hockey, espresso and biking fan – however F1 eclipses all that for the Finn. On this particular episode, he explains in his personal phrases why his 10-time Grand Prix winner compatriot and two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen is his buddy. F1 Icon…
Finland is a singular place to develop up. It is a gradual tradition, but it surely produces quick racing drivers. It is a quiet place however we love the hum of the engines. There’s clear water, clear air, nice faculties, it is protected and it was ultimate to develop up there. You respect the straightforward issues in life.
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However studying as a child that there’s a go-kart observe simply quarter-hour from my hometown of Nastola? You may think about that I’m actually pleased about this.
We used to play ice hockey within the winter – Finland’s winters are very chilly, clearly – and I idolized Teemu Selanne. In fact, as a Finnish individual, I’m a giant rally fan. There are various drivers I look as much as: Tommi Makinen, Marcus Gronholm, Juha Kankkunen… the listing may go on and on to be sincere.
However on the subject of F1, Mika Hakkinen is my mannequin driver.
My earliest reminiscences are of waking up on a Sunday – no matter time zone it might be, Japan or one thing – making a sandwich with my dad and turning on F1. It was fairly cool.
I nonetheless vividly keep in mind Mika’s first win within the closing race of 1997 (in addition to different issues that occurred in that race), backing her up when she received the championship within the 98 marketing campaign and once more within the 99.
He was a nationwide hero in Finland and an enormous hero for me too.
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On the time, when Michael Schumacher was at his peak, I felt Mika was the one one who may actually problem him, and it was nice to look at their battles, together with Spa 2000. actually thrilling
Other than successful two world titles, Mika’s biggest achievement was her comeback from that horrible accident in Adelaide in 95. It have to be actually onerous.
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I’ve heard tales from her former supervisor Didier Coton that she was hospitalized in Australia for a couple of month whereas Mika was recovering there. This was the final race of the 1995 season.
Mika’s return to racing within the first race of 1996 is a good lesson for anybody to maintain preventing it doesn’t matter what.
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Mika positively embodies the Finnish idea Sisu, particularly concerning his accident: being in a coma, waking up and never even positive if he can preserve racing, however simply preserve preventing. And he spent so a few years in Formulation 1 with no win, but he by no means gave up and at last the chance got here.
I believe he has that sort of Finnish mentality – Sisu It’s the promise of stubbornness, drive and willpower, and never giving up it doesn’t matter what. He is an actual Finnish.
Sisu is the stubbornness, drive and willpower not to surrender it doesn’t matter what. He is an actual Finnish.
I want to assume that I’ve this high quality too. Truthfully, I take this sport critically and each time I make errors, I beat myself up fairly a bit.
I nonetheless have not received the championship and I’ve had good alternatives to do this through the Mercedes years, it is onerous to confess typically however that clearly motivates me and retains me going and the dream continues to be alive.
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Truthfully, having the primary win in 2017 is basically cool, however I’d take a step again and take a look at every thing as a complete: It was good to be on a staff and take the constructors title with Mercedes 5 instances in a row. Cool.
I’ve misplaced the variety of podiums and factors earned, which is fairly epic, however I nonetheless assume there’s extra to come back from me in F1.
Now, I positively assume I am extra snug with every thing in my life, I’ve an ideal steadiness, every thing is in nice concord, and likewise the ambiance right here in Alfa Romeo makes me really feel like I can actually be myself now and do what I can do. like
However I believe nobody ought to be mistaken: I nonetheless take F1 actually, actually critically. That is my dream job and I nonetheless have huge, huge objectives for the longer term.
Mica is a part of it. He is nonetheless one in every of my managers and it is nice to talk with him typically, not nearly F1 and driving, however every thing about being within the paddock, as a result of he is seen and skilled a lot out and in of Formulation 1.
If doubtful, ask Mika.
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