F1 News
Will Mika Hakkinen's daughter become F1 driver? 'She can do it'
- Ludo van Denderen
The son of his former rival Michael Schumacher reached Formula 1, and his former colleagues Jos Verstappen and Jan Magnussen saw Max and Kevin make it to F1 respectively. The Hakkinen name may also return in a few years, as the two-time world champion has really fast children. One of them may have the potential to follow in daddy Mika's footsteps.
Son Hugo is the first child of the former McLaren driver - the team that still assists Hakkinen as an ambassador. He drove karts for six years, but eventually decided to hang up his helmet. "He found it all too stressful. School, the racing. It didn't fit for him anymore. If he started again today, maybe I would do a few things differently," Hakkinen told German website Sport 1 in conversation.
F1 longs for female drivers
But so there is still hope for Hakkinen that his children will follow his career path. Besides nine-year-old Daniel, there is 12-year-old Ella. According to Mika, she is very fast, very special and full of power. Indeed, a female driver. No woman has driven in Formula 1 for many years, perhaps Ella will be the next one in a few seasons?
"I have to be very careful what I say now so that I don't put any pressure on her. But today's motorsport is looking for women, wants women. And she really loves racing. So I support her as much as I can. Getting to Formula 1 is, of course, a long road. If she wants to get there, she has to do everything for it, work very hard. Then she can do it. Of course, I have experience of how to prepare for everything, right down to how to win world championships. So I could help her to a certain extent. But of course you have to see how it develops...," Hakkinen senior concluded.