Mika Pauli Häkkinen, nicknamed "The Flying Finn", is a Finnish former racing driver. He won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1998 and 1999, both times driving for McLaren. Häkkinen is one of three Formula One drivers from Finland that have won the World Drivers' Championship, and the only one to have done so more than once. He currently works in driver management and is a brand ambassador for various companies.
Häkkinen in 2016
A Ralt RT34 driven by Häkkinen in the 1990 Macau Grand Prix
Häkkinen driving for Lotus at the 1991 United States Grand Prix, his Formula One debut race
Häkkinen at the 1992 British Grand Prix
"The Flying Finn" is a nickname given to several Finnish athletes who were noted for their speed. Originally, it was given to several Finnish middle and long-distance runners. The term was later extended to notable Finnish racing drivers.
Paavo Nurmi at the 1924 Olympics
Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen at the 1965 1000 Lakes Rally
Mika Häkkinen at the 2000 United States Grand Prix
Kimi Räikkönen driving an Alfa Romeo Formula One car in 2020