Sport

Head To Head: Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher

Mika Hakkinen - McLaren-Mercedes.

Sat Sept 26 1998 - 01:00

Mika Hakkinen - McLaren-Mercedes.

Born: Helsinki, Finland. Age: 29 (30 on Monday). Married to Erja, lives in Monaco.

Grand Prix debut: USA, 1991 (Lotus Judd). First win: European (Jerez), 1997 (McLaren).

Races: 110. Wins: 7. Poles: 10. Fastest laps: 6. Total points: 198.

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1998 record: Australia: 1st. Brazil: 1st. Argentina: 2nd. San Marino: DNF. Spain: 1st. Monaco: 1st. Canada: DNF. France: 3rd. Britain: 2nd. Austria: 1st. Germany: 1st. Hungary: 6th. Belgium: DNF. Italy: 4th.

Strengths: Based purely on raw speed, Hakkinen is regarded as the fastest man in Formula One. The ice-cool Scandinavian has also been unfazed by any of Michael Schumacher's mind-games. The McLaren-Mercedes power-package is also superior to the Ferrari.

Weaknesses: This is Hakkinen's eighth season in Formula One, but the first time he has been within touching distance of the drivers' crown. Knows title should have been wrapped up long ago. Also, the doubts over McLaren-Mercedes reliability will nag away at him.

Michael Schumacher - Ferrari.

Born: Kerpen, Germany. Age: 29. Married to Corinna, one daughter, another child expected. Lives near Geneva. World champion in 1994 and 1995.

Grand Prix debut: Belgium, 1991 (Jordan-Ford). First win: Belgium, 1992 (Benetton-Ford).

Races: 115. Wins: 33. Poles: 18. Fastest laps: 33. Total points: 520.

1998 record: Australia: Retired. Brazil: 3rd. Argentina: 1st. San Marino: 2nd. Spain: 3rd. Monaco: 10th. Canada: 1st. France: 1st. Britain: 1st. Austria: 3rd. Germany: 5th. Hungary: 1st. Belgium: Retired. Italy: 1st.

Strengths: As far championship deciders go, Schumacher has been there, done it and got the T-shirt. Only Schumacher, who made his debut the same year as Hakkinen, could have taken the title battle this far after the Finn had swept to four victories in the opening six races.

Weaknesses: When it comes to the crunch - Hill in 1994 and Villeneuve last year - just cannot resist that twitch of the wheel when the title looks to be slipping away. Got away with it against Hill, but not with Villeneuve when his reputation was tarnished. Has looked more fallible this year, such as his mistake in driving into the back of Coulthard in Belgium, then trying to blame his rival.