With Mika Hakkinen safely through the Winter: formula 1 world champion gives driving tips

What are the tips of the two-time world champion for Driving in the cold Season? As a former racer Hakkinen advises especially to speed - and although a slow.

Monaco - From 1991 to 2001, drove Mika Häkkinen, a total of 161 Grand Prix in the formula 1 and was the 1998 and 1999 world champion. Together with Michael Schumacher, he was the most successful formula 1 Pilot in the late 1990s.

From 2005 to 2007, he drove in the DTM for Mercedes. In an Interview, the 50-year-old Finn is now the car drivers tips - especially for the cold Season.

Mika Hakkinen, to help the skills of a rider in everyday traffic?

Mika Hakkinen Absolutely! Definitely! But it is not only the skills but also the Timing. The Timing is very important. What I mean by that is: If you drive in traffic on the road, you may assess a lot sooner, what will happen to the left, right, front and behind you. So you can react more quickly and your road car in a Position that you don't have a accident.

right now in the Winter, the road conditions are not always easy and often very changeable. You, as a Finn, snow-covered roads. You like to drive in the snow?

Hakkinen : Yes, I personally like it very much. It makes the Driving more challenging. Everything I've mentioned already, the Timing and be attentive, watch what's going on around you, there is more and more important. I have in the snow is great fun. But it is important that you stick to the speed limits and just in the snow not too quickly departs.

also read: wash your car in Winter you should pay attention to.

What is crucial in the Winter, what should know each driver and what are the essential important things are?

Hakkinen : If we're talking about driving in the Winter, it is all about, that the driver pays attention to the tires and their condition such as the depth of the profile. The tires are, in principle, your life insurance policy. Very important is also, of course, no matter what the road conditions are, always buckle up!

If you drive in the rain, the speed is crucial. You should go not fast, not accelerate, this is super dangerous. Because if one device in the rain once in Aquaplaning, you are only a passenger. No matter how good you are as a driver, you lose control. So: never drive too fast!

In the snow, the tires are also extremely important. Basically, make sure that the tires are too old and have the right tread depth, and not to drive fast. On Ice? In a similar way. Also since the tires are crucial for your safety. Very important: On ice, never sudden or jerky steering or braking manoeuvres. Go gently and evenly, which reduces the risk of an accident. In the Dry it's easier, but even then you should always be able to watch. Always pay attention to the distance to other cars.

lose When I'm driving on ice, the control and to me the rear breaks out, the car is turning, what do I do then?

Hakkinen is Every Situation is different. I recommend retirement, If I had just made my driver's license and not so much experience have to drive on snow and ice, I would go to a racing or driving school or a driving safety centre. There you can learn to keep his car under control. Because under extreme conditions, you need special techniques to control the car on snow, ice or slippery conditions.

How can I prepare myself best for the winter conditions like snow and ice?

Hakkinen : first, I would actually make a driver training for these conditions. There you can also ask individual questions, learn how to brake with steering and gas pedal at the best deal, depending on the weather and road conditions. But that's never the same, even the snow is never the same. One thing is definitely clear: If you're not sure, then go from the Gas, drive slow and take your time so that you arrive safely.

you are not more active in the formula 1, but are still on the road a lot. What are you doing today?

Hakkinen I'm an Ambassador for various companies, so I spend a lot of time, to enable their Business. In October, I was at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka - there, I've turned to the Celebration of the 30th anniversary of the race track, laps of Honour, it's my anniversary was also a celebration on the occasion of my first formula 1 world championship title exactly 20 years ago. To this end, we have presented a special photo as a limited edition print for a charity action for the 25th anniversary of the "Flying Finn". In the picture I'm flying in Adelaide in 1993, with my McLaren with all four wheels is a good Meter above the road. Since then, I have my nickname "The flying Finn".

The Person: Mika Hakkinen, born on 28. September 1968 in Vantaa (Finland), is a married father of five children, and lives in Monaco. Between 1991 and 2001 he drove in 161 formula 1 Grand Prix on the Lotus and McLaren, and was the 1998 and 1999 world champion. From 2005 to 2007, he drove in the DTM for Mercedes. With two business partners he has founded a Start-up for a Social Media Fan Club App. In the driver's management, he advises his compatriot Valtteri Bottas, and is an Ambassador for the manufacturer of sports cars, tires, and hearing AIDS.

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So your car stays in the Winter fit