Mika Hakkinen at the Singapore GP - Photo: RacePictures

F1 champion Häkkinen tips daughter Ella for bright future in racing

10:57, 15 Oct

byTobia Elia

Two-time F1 champion Mika Häkkinen has big ambitions for his daughter Ella in motorsport, despite her still being very young.

“Ella is an extremely talented racing driver”

- Mika Hakkinen

Speaking to Ilta Sanomat, the Finn stated: “When I watch the guys in karting these days, there are some incredibly talented guys driving there. From there on, the demands increase. The challenge when moving to bigger cars is that you no longer drive 15–20 laps on the track, but an hour at full speed. If those cars don't have power steering, it's tough.”

Häkkinen revealed that both of his children, Ella and Daniel, aged 14 and 11 respectively, are being followed by a dedicated fitness coach who oversees their physical training on a full-time basis.

“We have a very simple plan in mind. There is no doubt that a woman is weaker in muscle than a man, but if the goal is to be in the top ten, it doesn't help at all to think that the cars are made for customers. That's why we have a full-time trainer from Hintsa Performance training Ella and Daniel. It has to be done smartly, but that's just how it goes.”

Mika Hakkinen Photo: RacePictures.

“Ella and Daniel train hard. They run ten kilometers every day, stretch and strengthen their muscles, and focus on their diet. Everything is taken to the limit. I can say that my children train at the same level as Lewis Hamilton as an F1 driver under the leadership of Hintsa Performance. Nothing is left undone.”

Finally, Häkkinen praised his daughter’s qualities as a driver: “Ella is an extremely talented racing driver. I’m not just saying this as a father, but based on my observations as a former top driver.

“I don’t focus so much on the results she achieves, but rather on how she develops as a driver. When progress is made in that area and the motivation is right, there will be a real chance of success.”

Hakkinen offers Leclerc crucial career advice

Staying on the topic of talented drivers, the former McLaren driver also offered some advice to the Monegasque, who is now nearing the end of his seventh season with Ferrari — a spell that has yielded just eight victories and no world titles, often without a truly competitive car at his disposal.

However, the Finn believes that Leclerc should make an act of faith and continue to trust and persist with Ferrari’s long-term project.

GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.