Mika Häkkinen: When F1 Was Fearless - Beating Schumacher & The Crash That Changed Everything (E377)
The High Performance Podcast
High Performance
4.8 • 4.7K Ratings
🗓️ 3 November 2025
⏱️ 98 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Häkkinen reflects on the mindset, discipline, and calmness that defined his legendary career, and his unforgettable rivalry with Michael Schumacher.
He opens up about the “Finnish Ice Man” mentality that helped him stay composed under pressure, the near-fatal crash that reshaped his outlook on life, and the decision to retire at his peak with clarity and purpose. Mika also shares lessons from McLaren’s golden era on leadership, teamwork, and the psychology of high performance.
This episode offers a rare glimpse into the wisdom of a true champion, proof that greatness is built not just on speed, but on composure, humility, and knowing when to step back.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Here at first on the high performance app, available early, Joe Cole, former Chelsea and Ingleham footballer, |
| 0:06.0 | a man who was known as one of the greatest talents of his generation. |
| 0:09.0 | I've known him for years, and I've never known him to get this emotional. |
| 0:13.0 | Check it out right now. |
| 0:15.0 | When I did the test with Formula One car, I felt like this is my life. |
| 0:20.0 | This is what I love. This is what I love. |
| 0:21.6 | This is what I can do well. |
| 0:23.6 | Only thing that I realized I was not able to move the hands. |
| 0:26.6 | I just felt a massive pain and then, |
| 0:29.6 | good night. |
| 0:30.6 | Good night, yeah. |
| 0:31.6 | I went through to O'Rooz, keep a foot down. |
| 0:34.6 | I felt every part of the car was just like ready to explode. |
| 0:38.8 | I was fantastic to see the Ferrari in my mirrors. |
| 0:43.4 | That is the voice of Mika Hakenen, the Flying Finn, two-time Formula One World Champion, |
| 0:48.4 | one of the quickest drivers the sport has ever seen, |
| 0:51.3 | and one of few men who truly went head to head with Michael Schumacher |
| 0:55.5 | in his prime, and also experienced close-up racing with Ayrton Senna. This is a man who also |
| 1:02.4 | rarely does podcasts. He's done very few interviews, but today he shares everything with us, |
| 1:07.6 | from lying in a hospital bed with a cracked skull after a near-fatal |
| 1:11.0 | 1995 crash to standing on the top step of the podium and eventually becoming world champion. |
| 1:16.6 | This is the story of how his life-threatening accident completely redefined his approach to high performance |
... |
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