A gentleman's agreement hands Hakkinen a hollow win

©TheCahierArchive

On this day in 1998, McLaren's Mika Hakkinen won a controversial Australian Grand Prix.

The Finn was leading the race convincingly when he misinterpreted a call from the McLaren pitwall and pulled in, letting team mate David Coulthard into the lead.

Just as everyone had gladly resigned themselves to a DC win, the Scot slowed three laps from the checkered flag and waved Hakkinen through.

It later emerged that the McLaren boys and team management had agreed that whoever made it to the first corner ahead should win the race!

The cagey ploy was investigated by the World Motor Sport Council which ruled that "any future act prejudicial to the interests of competition should be severely punished".

Teams orders were eventually banned in 2003.

Almost ten years later, speaking about this race, Ron Dennis sensationally revealed that "someone had tapped into our radio and instructed Mika to enter the pits"!

Was it therefore a deliberate act of sabotage? We'll never know…

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.