Former F1 Champion Mika Hakkinen Inaugurates India's First CIK-Certified Karting Circuit Near Chennai

In what will be a big boost to the sport in the country, double Formula One World Champion Mika Hakkinen flagged off Indian motorsports on a new and exciting journey by inaugurating the state-of-the-art Madras International Karting Arena (M.I.K.A.), at the iconic Madras Motor Sports Club in Chennai on Thursday. Hakkinen, on a whistle-stop visit to Chennai enroute to Singapore for the F1 Grand Prix, inaugurated the new facility at a gala ceremony that was attended by India's two former F1 drivers, Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok.

Hakkinen cut the ribbon to open the 1.2 km permanent karting track at the launch ceremony which included the traditional lighting of the lamp and unveiling a commemorative tablet which will be on display at the MIKA circuit.

After an emotionally charged function, Hakkinen, F1 champion in 1998 and 1999, and popularly known as the "Flying Finn", posed for a group photograph with young karting drivers, he provided an insight into the mind and the making of a World Champion.

"I like MIKA because it is my name too!" he declared but added on a serious note: "You must learn to lose and enjoy the win, and to control your emotions. As you move up the racing ladder, it is a whole different World out there. There is a lot of pressure from family, friends and teams. So, you must be able to deal with the pressure. But everything is up here," he said, pointing to his temple.

On prompted by Chandhok during a one-on-one interview, Hakkinen spoke at length about his Formula One career, especially his inability to win a single race for six years after debut before tasting success by winning two back-to-back World Championship titles. He also touched upon his rivalry with seven-time World Champion Michael