Race and classic pictures

Hakkinen explains to Schumacher how it was done

The move is hailed as one of the greatest overtakes in F1 history, but how did Michael Schumacher react to Mika Hakkinen's breath-taking pass at Spa on this day in 2000?

The former McLaren driver won the Belgian Grand Prix that year but it almost ended in tears when Schumacher forced the Finn on the grass on the run-up to Les Combes a lap before the latter's astonishing and crucial move.

"It was natural that I went to talk to him after the race," once recounted Hakkinen.

"I said: ‘You can’t push someone to the grass at 300kph. This is a life and death situation, use some common sense.' He tilted his head and looked at me. ‘What did I do wrong?'"

"He didn’t say ‘sorry, I was too aggressive’. It was simply his driving style."

The two-time world champion was obviously at odds with the Red Baron's tactics.

"If it was a slow corner and you defend and do things that are on the limits of what is fair I could somehow accept it because I too use gimmicks on the track."

"But 300kph is so fast, if in those speeds an F1 car goes on the grass and the ground clearance is about 15mm at the front it’s so low that the smallest of bumps will send the car flying. That was my point: ‘come on, think’!"

Schumacher's defensive and dangerous action offered the German but a short respite. On the following lap, Hakkinen enjoyed the sweetest revenge - and so did F1's fans -  when he overtook Schumacher up the hill to Les Combes in a breathtaking maneuver as both men sandwiched a bewildered Ricardo Zonta.

The Ferrari driver held back however from complimenting his rival after the race.

"But he did know that it was a tough battle. We both finished the race and nothing happened. I’m sure that if it had been someone else against Michael, front wings would have flown."

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.

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