Hakkinen will be fondly remembered, not least for being one of the few drivers able to consistently challenge, and beat, Michael Schumacher. His calm and modest approach won him many admirers, not least the great Ayrton Senna, whom the Finn out-qualified in their first Grand Prix as team mates.

His Formula One career began with Lotus in 1991 and he scored two points in his debut season. This improved to eleven the following year, winning him a testing contract with McLaren. Hakkinen's big chance came when Michael Andretti left the team and he was promoted to a race seat for the final three rounds of the 1993 season, taking third place in Japan.

However, despite an encouraging start to his McLaren career, it was to be a tough path to his maiden GP win. He almost lost his life after fracturing his skull in an accident at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix, but team boss Ron Dennis kept his faith in the Finn and he was back on the grid for the opening round of the 1996 season.

That elusive first win came in controversial circumstance at the 1997 European Grand Prix when team mate David Coulthard was asked to move over for him. The long-awaited victory gave Hakkinen a huge confidence boost, so much so that he won eight races the following year to take his first drivers' title.

In 1999 Michael Schumacher's Silverstone accident meant that Ferrari's Eddie Irvine was Hakkinen's key rival and the championship went down to the wire in Japan. However, his lightning-quick start and renowned cool under pressure saw him win the race and secure a second successive title, becoming one of only seven drivers to have clinched back-to-back crowns.

A relatively poor start to the 2000 season prompted an impressive fight back from Hakkinen. He took the lead in the championship standings after a dramatic overtaking manoeuvre, which saw him pass Schumacher as they both lapped Ricardo Zonta by passing him on either side, at Spa. However, four successive wins by the German then ended his challenge.

The birth of his first child, Hugo, before Christmas of that year led to rumours that his motivation would suffer in 2001. Though Hakkinen denied them, his relatively lacklustre results suggested his mind was indeed elsewhere. Flashes of brilliance remained, including wins at Silverstone and Indianapolis, but fifth place in the overall standings was followed by the announcement of a sabbatical for 2002.

Many suggested Hakkinen would have little to gain by returning to F1, especially with McLaren currently unable to challenge Ferrari for either championship, and it seems he agrees. With two driver titles, 20 wins and 26 pole positions to his credit, he knows he has nothing left to prove.

 Whether Hakkinen becomes regarded as one of the all-time greats is debatable, given that the huge majority of his success came with one team. However, in an era when Michael Schumacher seems all but invincible, memories of the pair's rivalry will serve as a pleasant reminder that no-one is unbeatable.
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