12 Minutes Of The Flying Finn

THE EVOLUTION OF MOTORSPORT, FORMULA E, LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT AND HIS FIGHT AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING: TWO-TIME F1 WORLD CHAMPION MIKA HAKKINEN DISCUSSES IT ALL IN AN ALL-TOO-BRIEF CHAT WITH AMAAN AHMED

- Amaan Ahmed

This has to be the most frenetic interview setup I’ve witnessed. Tables being hurriedly moved to one side, chairs placed each side of a small wooden worktop, comms executives checking to see if the special helmet is placed at the correct angle. They’re rushing because we have a rather short amount of time – getting started as per schedule is key, for if we don’t, we lose conversation time. Their scurrying almost makes me nervous.

In walks Mika Hakkinen. Wiry blonde hair pulled neatly to one side, frameless spectacles sitting easy on his sharp nose. He flashes a smile. Everything settles. The nerves fade. It’s not until we’re done exchanging pleasantries that I realise how big his hands are. They’re super-sized in the way that you don’t shake hands with him as much as you let your hand be swallowed up by his. These are the very mitts that piloted McLarens we used to poster our bedroom walls with. But enough of being awestruck: the clock’s ticking. He’s in India for the first time, and I ask him if he has tried our cuisine yet. “Yes! Yesterday, I tasted different food, different flavours from the regions of India and it was a mega experience and this kind of food I cannot have in Europe. Only in India. This morning when I woke up... my thought was... “Ah! Everything is fine!” he adds with a laugh, pointing at his stomach.

He’s in town to do his job as Johnnie Walker’s Global Responsible Drinking Ambassador, so naturally, the next one is: what’s your poison?

“When you are in a country like India, dehydration happens quickly. I’ve been in Formula 1 and motor racing for so many years, and I understand what happens when you get dehydrated. It doesn’t matter what work you do – water is your best friend, basically. I think you were expecting me to say Johnnie Walker! (laughs).”