F1: 5 of the most memorable Schumacher vs Hakkinen moments

Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher are two of the greatest Formula One drivers in the history of the sport. The former is a two-time champion, while the latter managed to secure the title a record seven times. During their quest for glory, both the drivers engaged in close, wheel-to-wheel action throughout the 1998 and the 2000 season, giving the fans plenty to cheer for.

Interestingly, this was a very unique rivalry between the two, as it hardly involved any incidents that brought down the value of the sport like Senna's deliberate crash into Prost to claim the 1990 championship. Both the drivers had tremendous respect for each other and shared a novel competitive bond, and in this article, let us take a trip down memory lane and look closer at five of the most memorable Schumacher vs Hakkinen moments from the past.

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#5 Collision at the 1990 Macau Grand Prix

Many see the 1990 Macau Grand Prix as the place where the entire Schumacher and Hakkinen rivalry began.

In the F3 race, both the drivers were in a league of their own and built a considerable lead over their competition. Hakkinen trailed Schumacher for most of the race, and in the last lap, the German's unforced braking error opened up an opportunity for the Finn to take the lead and win the race.

However, as the Finn tried to overtake, Schumacher cut into his path, which forced a collision between the two. Michael Schumacher lost his rear wing while Mika Hakkinen spun, hit the barriers and came to a halt, forcing his retirement.

The German went on to win the race at the 1990 Macau Grand Prix.

Video: Hakkinen vs Schumacher

#4 Schumacher's extraordinary fightback at the 1998 Austrian Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher's brilliant drive ensured he took the podium under unbelievable circumstances

Changing weather conditions during the qualifying ensured that Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher would start the race from the second row.

The Finn produced a marvellous start and took the lead at the end of the first corner. The first part of the race featured the German chasing down Hakkinen but failed and ran wide once.

The German's running wide for the second time cost him, as he lost the front wing in the incident. Schumacher's long pit-stop as a result of the accident ensured that he would rejoin the race almost a lap behind Hakkinen.

Schumacher never gave up and continued his charge to the top of the grid. However, he fell short of his pursuit and finished the race in the third place, keeping him only eight points behind the Finn in the drivers' championship.

#3 A one-two finish at the 1998 Luxembourg Grand Prix

Mika Hakkinen's win at the Luxembourg Grand Prix gave him a slender lead over Schumacher

The penultimate race of the 1998 Formula One season saw intense wheel-to-wheel action between Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen, who were both in a prime position to win the championship.

Both the drivers were on level points before starting the Luxembourg Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. The German had a fantastic qualifying session that saw him start the race from the pole, while his Finnish rival started the race from the second row of the grid.

Schumacher had a good start, and with the help of his teammate Irvine, managed to build a lead over Hakkinen. However, by staying out longer on the track, the Finn managed to scuffle the lead away from the German driver after the first round of pit stops.

Hakkinen managed to stay out in front despite the tremendous pressure put by the man in the Ferrari. The Finn's victory meant that he would enter the final race of the Grand Prix with a slender margin of four points.

Mika Hakkinen would go on to win the 1998 Formula 1 Championship.

#2 Schumacher wrestling the title away from Hakkinen at the 2000 Japanese Grand Prix

Schumacher clinched the 2000 Formula One Championship

After losing the championship to Mika Hakkinen at the 1998 Japanese Grand Prix, the German got sweet revenge over his nemesis at the Suzuka Circuit two years later.

The race was set up perfectly as Schumacher started on the pole and Hakkinen started from the second spot, finishing the qualifying session only 0.009 seconds behind the Ferrari.

Mika Hakkinen had a blinding start and wrestled the lead away from Schumacher in the first lap. The German, on the other hand, made sure that the Finn was always within his reach, and followed Hakkinen closely for the most part of the race.

The second round of pit stops changed the order, which sent Michael Schumacher to the first place, with Hakkinen four seconds behind the leader. The Finn's valiant drive during the closing stages of the Grand Prix was insufficient, and Schumacher crossed the finish line to claim his third Formula One title.

#1 Coming together at the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix

Hakkinen pulled off an outrageous overtaking manoeuvre

The Belgian Grand Prix saw another collision between Schumacher and Hakkinen, which was eerily similar to the incident that occurred ten years ago.

Driving the McLaren, Mika Hakkinen started the race from the pole, while his adversary started the race from the fourth place.

The Finn got off to a brilliant start that saw him maintain the lead during the initial stages of the race. However, on lap 13, Hakkinen touched a kerb and went for a wild spin off the track, surrendering the lead to the German in the Ferrari.

Mika Hakkinen's brilliant drive later that race ensured that he would get back into the lead pack in the next 22 laps. The Finn and the German made contact during the final stages of the race, but the Ferrari driver managed to hold on to the lead. The following lap, Hakkinen pulled off an outrageous overtaking manoeuvre and slipped past Schumacher to take the chequered flag in style.

Michael Schumacher finished just 1.104 seconds behind Hakkinen in the second place.

Video: Hakkinen overtaking Schumacher