Tragic Ex-Hero Schumacher Column Not Written by Hakkinen

A few days back, it appeared that all respect between former world champions Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher had been lost. And that's because the Finnish driver, former two-time world champion of the series, disagreed publicly with Schumacher's decision to return to the championship that made him famous, Formula One.

Writing in a column for Munich newspaper TZ, Hakkinen called the 7-time world champion a “tragic ex-hero” and further wrote “In my view, he is dismantling his own legacy bit by bit.” Additionally, despite the great respect the two have for each other, at least that's how people are looking at it, Hakkinen also called his former rival “too arrogant” and that they were never quite friends.

Needless to say, those statement from Hakkinen left many open-mouthed. And for good reason. As it turns out, it seems that the Finn did not write whose comments, but an editor within the aforementioned publication. Consequently, TZ issued a statement yesterday in which it apologizes for the article and sets the record straight.

“The statements attributed to Mr Hakkinen, particularly in relation to Michael Schumacher, were not true and were not authorised. We regret this and apologise to our readers, to Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher, and as a consequence we are no longer working with the staff member concerned,” said the statement from the newspaper.

The two drivers began their rivalry in Formula One in 1998, a season when McLaren Mercedes were practically unbeatable in the championship. Hakkinen secured back-to-back titles in 1998 and 1999, before Schumacher stepped in and cemented a true Ferrari dynasty in the sport, with 5 consecutive titles between 2000 and 2004.