Rumour - Hakkinen to BMW?

BSchneiderFan · 7 Aug 2005, 22:26 (Ref:1374537)

Forgive me if this has been covered elsewhere, but I've been away from the Internet from a few days. I notice that www.autosport-atlas.com that Mika Hakkinen is denying rumours that he has been approached by BMW with a view to a race drive with their new F1 team in 2006. Now, this could be nonsense, but what do people think, or what have you heard?

**Adam43** · 7 Aug 2005, 22:40 (Ref:1374543)

Mika hada book out a few months ago (IIRC - I haen't seen it) and he said something about this. In the article you link he says he isn't interested in such things and likes what he is doing.

At best there has been cursory contact, but ultimately nothing serious. He is doing what he is doing because it is ideal for him.

Nicholosophy · 7 Aug 2005, 22:41 (Ref:1374545)

You never know - they could offer him a simple "no strings attached" test drive/s to get some feedback on the cars. He's been out of F1 for a few years but not that long, and he was always good at giving technical feedback. I think he'd still be useful from that point of view, but that would be it...

Gt_R · 8 Aug 2005, 01:53 (Ref:1374598)

Mika is almost as much a Mclaren driver as Michael is Ferrari's, if not more so.

I really can't see Mika coming back to F1 anymore. he's a great guy, great for the sports... but time is not on his side... and why come back to risk the greatness he achieved?

Valve Bounce · 8 Aug 2005, 02:07 (Ref:1374603)

If Mika did decide to make a successful comeback in F1, it will need to be a longish process. Supposing he wants to race next year, he would need to be involved in testing the new BMW right now and on and off throughout the winter not only to get accustomed to the F1 car under the new aero rules, new tyres, different handling characteristics but to also develop the car to suiit his own driving style.

So it will be no secret as the testing will be a dead giveaway. I really don't think it will be possible for him to just step into an F1 car that he has never driven before, and after a few shakedown laps, to race the car; as much as how I've admired Mika through his driving career, I don't think this is possible.

Dutton · 8 Aug 2005, 02:32 (Ref:1374608)

Not going to happen.

Raglanparade · 8 Aug 2005, 05:55 (Ref:1374648)

Id like to see a Williams style driver shootout for the BMW second seat.. JV v Hakkinen

Kicking-back · 8 Aug 2005, 06:28 (Ref:1374658)

Mika has retired from F1.

He is racing in the DTM - which he enjoys and it fits in with his life.

Why are people so determined to have people who don't want to be in F1 any more linked with it?

Dutton · 8 Aug 2005, 07:14 (Ref:1374680)

I have long tried to work that one out. I can only think it comes of a desperate nostalgia.

**John Turner** · 8 Aug 2005, 07:18 (Ref:1374683)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickoGP

..... he was always good at giving technical feedback.

Was he? I thought that was one reason why Mclaren kept DC on, because he was so much better than Mika at feedback and set up. Perhaps I've misread that one all these years, and I stand to be corrected.

Anyway, I don't think Mika should go back to F1; he's achieved everything he needed to, he's been away too long and he is enjoying what he is doing now. We all move on.

Gt_R · 8 Aug 2005, 08:19 (Ref:1374716)

I look forward to the days when Michael and Mika reach 45, and they qualify to race in Grand Prix Masters.

**John Turner** · 8 Aug 2005, 08:44 (Ref:1374731)

Yes, now that really would be interesting!

Ralf's Girl · 8 Aug 2005, 09:34 (Ref:1374781)

I have to agree with the consensus here - Hakkinen wouldn't benefit from making an F1 comeback. Whilst he was a good driver in his day, I can't see why he would want to come back and retire again to most likely be remembered as being past it (at the risk of incurring the wrath of JV fans, I have to say - like Villeneuve). Time to move on, let him get on with what he's doing and bring through more young, quick drivers - that's where the future is.

BSchneiderFan · 8 Aug 2005, 10:45 (Ref:1374836)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gt_R

I look forward to the days when Michael and Mika reach 45, and they qualify to race in Grand Prix Masters.

You assume that Michael won't still be in F1...

luke · 8 Aug 2005, 11:08 (Ref:1374849)

I hope he stays in the DTM, why leave what he is enjoying and is competitive at? And get a way from all the politics in F1.

Mr V · 8 Aug 2005, 11:51 (Ref:1374878)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gt_R

Mika is almost as much a Mclaren driver as Michael is Ferrari's, if not more so.

I thought that too, till Mika confirmed that he would have been a BMW-Williams driver this season had "Buttongate" not happened.

ralf fan · 8 Aug 2005, 13:11 (Ref:1374933)

I actually hope for Mika's sake that he doesnt come back. I really fear that he might have a JV-esqe return season (maybe worse) after 4 years out of f1.

Kicking-back · 8 Aug 2005, 13:12 (Ref:1374935)

My reading of Mika's words on that subject was not quite as clear-cut as that.

I don't think he was 100% sure about wanting to come back.

And looking at the car, it's been a lucky escape.

BootsOntheSide · 9 Aug 2005, 13:28 (Ref:1375818)

Mika's onto something good in the DTM - a competitive package, enjoyable and close racing where the driver makes the biggest difference, and no excessive media pressures, long-distance travel or testing commitments keeping him away from his family. He's got no reason to discard all that for something as risky as a new F1 team.

Mr V · 9 Aug 2005, 13:32 (Ref:1375822)

I have to sy, he did look like he was enjoying life when i watched the superpole shoot out on saturday and he was in the pit area.

Knowlesy · 9 Aug 2005, 16:10 (Ref:1375960)

He always has a smile on his face nowadays and he seems at ease.....it's great to see.

Hopefully he'll stick to DTM, he's done it all in F1, no need to tarnish his reputation against the new breed.

f1manoz · 12 Aug 2005, 17:49 (Ref:1380841)

Mika is happily retired and racing in the DTM. F1 is still a love but he doesn't need to race in it anymore. These are nothing but rumours.

BSchneiderFan · 12 Aug 2005, 18:31 (Ref:1380860)

But, to repeat, he has all but admitted that he was prepared to come back for 2005 under the right circumstances, either for BAR or Williams. I'm not saying he will be at BMW next year, but his readiness to return for this year surely means it's not ridiculous to suggest that BMW might have approached him for next.

If I were Hakkinen, and if BMW approached me, I'd think about it. He could do another five years in F1 easily, and BMW will be serious about winning. Think how much lustre it would add to his reputation to return to F1, a la Lauda, this time outwith his McLaren comfort zone, and win races (and a title?) against the young guns. Glorious autumn? Could be.

raul_iulian · 12 Aug 2005, 19:13 (Ref:1380880)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gt_R

Mika is almost as much a Mclaren driver as Michael is Ferrari's, if not more so.

I really can't see Mika coming back to F1 anymore. he's a great guy, great for the sports... but time is not on his side... and why come back to risk the greatness he achieved?

Ex: JV
No Mikka is not JV, he's too smart for that! And maybe not that greedy!

raul_iulian · 12 Aug 2005, 19:20 (Ref:1380883)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

But, to repeat, he has all but admitted that he was prepared to come back for 2005 under the right circumstances, either for BAR or Williams. I'm not saying he will be at BMW next year, but his readiness to return for this year surely means it's not ridiculous to suggest that BMW might have approached him for next.

If I were Hakkinen, and if BMW approached me, I'd think about it. He could do another five years in F1 easily, and BMW will be serious about winning. Think how much lustre it would add to his reputation to return to F1, a la Lauda, this time outwith his McLaren comfort zone, and win races (and a title?) against the young guns. Glorious autumn? Could be.

could be... but unfortunately NOT!
why didn't Ron want him back at Mclaren for this year???

that's my opinion.

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