21 replies to this topic

[Finntastic]

I found this old interview (translated from a Dutch F1 Magazine, 1998) and I thought that I´d share one comment from it with you. They are talking about Mikas accident.

Could this be one reason why Mrs. Häkkinen spends so much time at the races (along with the other -obvious- reason)??

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Interviewer: "Has he changed since you first met him?

Erja Häkkinen: "...That (the accident) was a very traumatic experience. We still talk about it. There is nothing negative about it. He learned a lot because of it. Now he thinks a bit differently about things like life, his work, his family and friends. He can calm down and think about everything in a positive way and that makes him stronger."

Interviewer: "What was the worst thing about the accident for you?"

Erja Häkkinen: "For me the worst thing was that when it happened I was in Paris. I saw it happen live at four o'clock in the morning and there was nothing I could do. I tried every phone in the area, but I just couldn't get through. The relief came next morning, when I managed to get a flight to Australia. I had to fly 24 hours before I knew what was going on. But as soon as I saw him, I knew he would be OK."
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If this is not shattering then I do not know what is??!!

[Lamont]

I don't have a problem with Erja being at the races. I think that's a good thing. What I do have a problem with is her being shown on camera 5-10 times during a race. I really don't want to see her or any other of the driver's wives during the race...I want to see the darn race!

[Ray Bell]

You must have compassion for her plight... it puts her constant race presence in perspective all right.

[CDNgrl]

Puts it in perspective, true, but I agree with Lamont -- we don't really need to see her (or any other of the driver's wives/girlfriends). Lets see the race instead.

But lets give Erja a break -- do we really think she wants all that camera attention? I wouldn't. It would make me self concious -- famous for being the Mrs. of someone famous....

[magic]

does anybody recalls the days williams won everything?

the camera that now fixates on erja used to be pointed at sir frank.

one look at his face told you more about the race than 1000 bb's.

[Jackman]

I had once heard that Erja was on television in Finland, but gave it up when she married Mika - does famous in Finland count?

And one other thing that has been really bugging me, and maybe someone here knows the answer - who the hell is that bald guy who is always standing next to her? Every time there is a shot of her, he is standing right next to her, looking up at a monitor. I hope someone can give me an answer - it's been bothering me for ages.

[Finntastic]

Jackman, that bald guy is actually Mikas personal fitness trainer, can´t remember his name. He is from U.K. and this summer he married a Finnish girl. The wedding took place in Helsinki Finland and Mika and Erja were naturally present. The rumor is that there were quite massive security arrangements.

I do not think that Erja enjoys all the attention that she receives from the TV. I heard that she, infact, asked the director? to reduce her presence in the prodcast.

Erja had her TV programm after she met Mika. She has given that up now when she is pregnant as her fashion boutique in Helsinki.

[FIAsco]

Originally posted by CDNgrl
But lets give Erja a break -- do we really think she wants all that camera attention? I wouldn't. It would make me self concious -- famous for being the Mrs. of someone famous....

CDNgrl, you wouldn't. But Erja? At least she doesn't mind being shown all the time. I think I heard/read somewhere that either Corinna Schummacher or Heidi W. explicitly asked for NOT being shown DURING races. And you only ever get to see them occasionally BEFORE or AFTER the races. So if Erja did not like to be seen on TV then she could simply ask. Still, the decision to show her rests with the directors.

Her statements in the interview give a good explanation for her being present at every GP. She does not want to experience something similar to Adelaide again. On the other hand it is surprising then, that in another interview (the 15 questions to Erja -it has been mentioned in one of the threads recently) she stated that she wasn't frightened at all during races.

[Lamont]

Originally posted by magic
does anybody recalls the days williams won everything?

the camera that now fixates on erja used to be pointed at sir frank.

Yeah, but at least Frank was a team principal and has some direct impact on the race. They show Dennis and Todt now during the race, I don't have a problem with that. Erja is a spectator.

[Finntastic]

http://scully.mtv3.f...type=image/jpeg © Antti Puskala

Can´t you see that she is enjoing her time at the Grand Prix circus

[Chris G.]

Erja has shown a lot of composure during interviews, etc. She seems like a strong, intelligent woman.

I just can't understand why they keep showing the racing cars during her program.

[JayWay]

Thats a horrible picture, and for Erja, THATS BAD!

[Bob Nomates]

In qualifying and during the race and if Schumacher or Hakkinen are doing something the camera always cuts to her just to see what she thinks about it, I'm not a Erja fan I'm a fan of the sport I don't care that facial expession she is carrying at the important moments it very annoying, I think the race directors have alot to answer for I really think some of them don't like the sport at all.

[Lamont]

One thing is clear, many of these directors have NO idea how to cover a race properly.

[snow]

I read this interview before and can appreciate how if effected the both of them.

Regarding Erja's tv time, I mentioned this before in another thread that I once read on a major sponsor's web site that she is not satisfied with the amount of airtime she receives and this is why she attends all the grand prix, to ensure "maximum airtime". Maybe I read this wrong. If need be, I could try and find the article.

I always remind myself of two things. One is not to believe everything I read and the other is that actions speak louder than words. Applying this to Erja's airtime, I'll let you decide.

[snow]

One last thing, someone else in another thread said that Corinna and Alesi's wife asked not to be shown on camera. I think that they attend most if not all the GPs too.

[Lamont]

Actually, that was this thread, just a few posts up...;)

[doohanOK]

And why is Mika walking into the Ferrari motorhome in that pic?

Seriously, I think Erja sticking it out with Mika is nothing short of brilliant. They obviously have a great repoire with each other.

regards,
doohanOK.

[Dsilence]

if corinna and alesis wife wouldn't asked specificly NOT be on air, we probably had less erja airtime... because they would have other options to shoot er.. film

[Ray Bell]

Perhaps what they need is some real glamour... which driver has a woman with stunning sex appeal - there must be one somewhere!
The rapport doesn't seem obvious in that photo at all, does it DOK?

[Finntastic]

This thread was NOT about Erja bashing. I just wanted to share this piece of information with you because I heard this for the first time. IF you read it COMPLETELY I would like to know if that is not shocking or what ... your partner gets into a accident, you can see it from TV, you realise that its serious AND it takes you 24h to know if he/she is ok...Mayby this is the reason why the keep showing her during the race...human drama or what so ever, but I have read an article where she specifically said that she is not so keen on this attention and what PURPOUSE it serves for her???? Why do you think that she needs any more publicity???

[Chris]

Finntastic, I doubt that any director in the whole F1 circus knows a lot about 1996 Hakkinen accident, and even less about the fact his wife remained un-informed for so long.
So, I gess that they show her because they are considering the race so boring, it is worthwhile to show someting else...