SEASON 1998 IN FORMULA 1: MIKA HAKKINEN ABOVE ALL

SEASON 1998 IN FORMULA 1: MIKA HAKKINEN ABOVE ALL

Williams' dominance in Formula 1 in the 1990s undoubtedly provoked competitors to become better versions of themselves. For its part, the British team is also looking to build on its performance following Jacques Villeneuve's triumph in the drivers' and constructors' trophies last season. This leads to the following cardinal changes. The team parted with its long-time partner Renault and placed a Mechachrome engine under the hood of its car. With the departure of the French giant, the team also parted ways with one of its key figures, designer Adrian Newey. Thus, the transformed Williams failed to be competitive enough and left the battle for the titles to the better prepared drivers and constructors.

All these circumstances give a chance for the McLaren-Mercedes team, which has forgotten its glorious moments, to appear on the scene. Mika Hakkinen won 4 of the first 6 starts in the 1998 season, thus guaranteeing himself a serious lead over Ferrari chaser Michael Schumacher. The response from the two-time world champion is more than emphatic and the German also managed to accumulate a solid asset of points so as to make the battle for the title even fiercer. Thus, in practice, the outcome of the 1998 season came in the last two starts - the Grand Prix of Luxembourg and the Grand Prix of Japan. However, the Finn, who is waiting for his moment of stardom, is uncompromising there. Thus, the 52nd World Car Championship was won by Mika Hakkinen. Second is Michael Schumacher, and third is Hakkinen's teammate David Coulthard.

The brilliant performance of Hakkinen and Coulthard in 1998. brings McLaren-Mercedes the constructors' world title. The trophy is the first for the British team since 1991. A curious fact is that it was then that Mika Hakkinen made his debut in Formula 1.

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