Top 5 rivalries in the history of Formula 1

#3 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) and Mika Hakkinen (McLaren)

Mika Hakkinen signed for McLaren in 1993 and stayed with them till he retired in 2001. Michael Schumacher was with Benetton from 1991-1995. He then signed for Ferrari in 1996 and continued to race for them till 2006.

Schumacher, over the years, has had many rivalries but, the one with Hakkinen is one of the most prominent ones. Although the rivalry was short-lived, it was fierce nonetheless. Hakkinen won 2 Championships consecutively in 1998 and 1999. Schumacher had won two Championships for Benetton and won 5 more for Ferrari.

Hakkinen and Schumacher went head to head while competing for the Championship in 1998 and 1999. The Finn won the first two races of the season. The then 2 time World Champion won 5 races that season and, both of them were tied on the points table with two races to go. It was a very controversial season, but Hakkinen won the final two races and claimed the Championship.

In 1999, both Schumacher and Hakkinen stayed with their respective teams. However, in the British Grand Prix, the German was involved in a crash and was out for 98 days. During this time Hakkinen managed to take a healthy lead in the points table.

Hakkinen managed to win the Championship again in the Japanese Grand Prix, which was the last race of the season. Schumacher and his teammate, Eddie Irvine managed to make their team Ferrari, win the Constructors' Championship.

Hakkinen was one of the competitors that Schumacher respected the most.