F1 champ tells UNUSUAL story about Schumacher and football legend
F1 champ tells UNUSUAL story about Schumacher and football legend
Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen has revealed his friendship with the late football star Franz Beckenbauer, after the pair met during a shoot for a Mercedes advert alongside Michael Schumacher.
Finnish driver Hakkinen has been remembering his acquaintance Beckenbauer, who recently passed away aged 78.
The 1998 and 1999 F1 champion struck up a friendly bond with the German world cup winner, with the pair playing golf together in later life following a chance meeting alongside seven-time world champion Schumacher.
Schumacher had just come out of retirement back in 2010, when he teamed up with the newly-formed Mercedes team.
Both he and Beckenbauer were involved in a classic advert titled 'Sunday Driver', an advert which showed off the car manufacturer's rich German history.
Beckenbauer's impressive football skills
Now, Hakkinen - who was also involved in the making of that particular advert - has revealed what first drew him to Beckenbauer, as well as revealing an unusual trick that the former Ballon d'Or winner would pull out on the golf course.
“He was an impressive personality and had a special aura," Hakkinen told Bild.
"Not because of his sporting successes, but because he remained human. I still remember the shoot very well and how I perceived it on set.
"It made no difference to him whether he spoke to the director, Michael, me or the camera assistant. Beckenbauer met everyone at eye level and didn't look down on anyone. And he also proved to me that he could play football.
“We played golf together a few times. And every now and then, when Beckenbauer had sunk his ball into the hole, he would take it out again, walk five or six meters away, put the ball on the ground and shoot it in again with his foot.
"Then he laughed a little because he knew beforehand that he always scores. And that's what he did! Then I tried it myself - and let's put it this way - there's a reason why I became a racing driver.”
READ MORE: How F1 fans fell in love with the sport again
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Newey TURNED DOWN F1 rivals before Red Bull decision
- 31 minutes ago
Newey's wife 'scoping out properties' in MAJOR hint over next move
- 1 hour ago
Marko reveals how Verstappen has HELPED Perez at Red Bull
- 2 hours ago
Ferrari bound Bearman set to make key F1 move
- 3 hours ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers MAJOR Newey warning as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- Today 12:11
F1 decision announced regarding points system change
- Today 11:58
Related news
Schumacher's personal collection to be sold in MEGA-MONEY auction
Rare drunk Schumacher story revealed by fierce F1 rival
F1 legend claims he ‘destroyed’ Schumacher mentally in AWKWARD relationship
Former F1 star makes HUGE Schumacher and Hamilton claim
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860