Former Formula 1 mechanic Richard Hopkins was friends with Michael Schumacher in the early years of the German’s career and revealed the ‘only’ driver who could really get inside the seven-time world champion’s head

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Michael Schumacher is one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

McLaren icon Mika Hakkinen was the ‘only’ Formula 1 driver capable of getting inside Michael Schumacher’s head, according to the seven-time champion’s former paddock pal, Richard Hopkins.

Hakkinen and Schumacher shared one of the greatest rivalries in F1 history, going wheel-to-wheel between 1991 and 2001, and claiming a combined six drivers’ championship titles between them during that period. Of course, Schumacher would go on to enjoy further success with Ferrari and ended his career a seven-time champion, while Hakkinen won the title twice in back-to-back seasons at the back end of the 1990s.

The battle truly ignited when the Finn’s McLaren squad made significant progress in 1994, the year Schumacher became champion for the first time racing for Benetton. The rivalry reached its zenith with Hakkinen’s maiden title triumph in 1998.

“The only person to get inside Michael Schumacher’s head was probably Mika Hakkinen,” Hopkins told Mirror Sport, in association with Spreadex Sports. “Mika was genuinely the only one who could do it, and Michael knew it. There was great respect between the two.

“If you had asked Michael, ‘You won all those championships, but who really took it to you?’ he’d probably have said Mika. The championships he won in 2000 and 2001 were when Mika was still racing. You can’t really include 1997 and, of course, Mika won in ’98 and ’99 when Michael didn’t, even though Michael had two good seasons. The McLaren was the superior car to the Ferrari in those years.

“Michael would have told you the only person who really challenged him outright was Mika – pure speed and racing. They both loved racing each other. There was amazing mutual respect because Michael realised Mika was the only person who could really beat him on the day, and that fuelled Mika as well.

“Winning his two championships against Schumacher meant an awful lot. Mika was the only driver around those times who really had that exceptional, A-plus-level ability.”

Hopkins and Schumacher were well acquainted during the early years of the legendary German racer’s career. They often enjoyed catch-ups and coffees in the Benetton motorhome, despite the Brit working as a mechanic for McLaren at the time.

Reflecting on Schumacher’s near-fatal skiing accident in December 2013, Hopkins explained: “Michael’s accident didn’t happen mid-season, so it was spoken about more within the teams than at the track. Early on, nobody knew the extent of it.

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Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher were F1 title rivals for many years(Image: AFP)

“The Keep Fighting Michael campaign started quickly, but at first, people didn’t know how bad it was. Of course, everyone was sad, but it took quite a while before people realised how serious it was. There wasn’t an immediate ‘Oh God’ moment – the information came out slowly.

“I remember my wife telling me Michael had an accident – hit his head, in hospital, in an induced coma – but it was long and drawn out. It wasn’t like [Ayrton] Senna’s death, where the news hit all at once. It unfolded over time, so the reaction was different.”