Topic tree

Formula One: Häkkinen world champion for second time

Date:
31 October 1999
Description:
After winning the final race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Mika Häkkinen in a McLaren-Mercedes MP4-13 is crowned Formula One world champion for the second time.

Pictures2

The West McLaren Mercedes dating back to 1999 is hardly differentiating from its predecessor on which Mika Häkkinen won the drivers' championship and the team gained the manufactuerers' title. However, the West McLaren-Mercedes MP 4-14 is a completely different car. The FIA rules of 1999 require a further reduction of curve speeds for the front wheels demanding three grooves instead of four - as in the previous year - for less floor contact. For this purpose, the front axis pressure must be increased, mechanically and aerodynamically. Adrian Newey, the technical director, and the team modify the body, underbody, aerodynamics and chassis. The MP 4-14 nose is pulled further down, one of the numerous initiatives to lower the centre of gravity further down. On MP 4-14 Mika Häkkinen defends his drivers' title, the team and becomes runner-up champion in the manufacturers' ranking.

Formula 1 Team 1999:
After winning the final race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Mika Häkkinen in a McLaren-Mercedes MP4-13 is crowned Formula One world champion for the second time.