Mika Hakkinen cc Although regarded as an outstanding talent when he first came into Formula Hakkinens career got off to a slow start His first two seasons were spent with an uncompetitive Lotus team after which he signed for Mclaren but spent virtually all his first season as a test driver after losing his seat when Ayrton Senna resolved his contract dispute at the last minute A near fatal accident in Australia in further held back his progress but he finally won his first Grand Prix in Spain in the last race of the season The following two years were outstandingly successful for the Finn as at the wheel of the dominant MclarenMercedes he won backtoback World Drivers Championships winning Grands Prix in the process He lost the Title to Michael Schumacher in and towards the end of an unsuccessful campaign he announced his retirement