![]() ![]() ![]() I can only describe DC as a true gentleman of the sport and a great friend and it was shame to see him leave. David Coulthard, who I’d worked with now for 8 years, left McLaren for the new Redbull team. At the end of the season another chapter came to an end.Kimi did, in Spa, and Bob did, in a fig leaf! There weren’t many highlights this year but a few funny moments Journalist Bob McKenzie bet Ron Dennis he’d run the Silverstone circuit naked if the team won a race this season.It was so bad McLaren scrapped it and decided to build at massive expense a whole new car. If ever the term “you can’t polish a turd” was justified, this was it. Kimi finished the season only two points shy of Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari and made the car look much better than it was.Kimi had an outstanding season, being fast and consistent and winning his first F1 race in Malaysia.It wasn’t the quickest but it finished races. After struggling with the new car in winter testing, the team decided to use a modified version of the 2002 car.Trainer for Kimi and Therapist for Kimi and DC Kimi failed to finish 11 races due to a number of mechanical issues. We were a great team from the start, which developed into a special life long friendship. I also started working closely with Dave and Steve Robertson, Kimi’s managers.Zero bullshit, massive raw natural talent, a huge heart and, let’s be honest, a bit of a handful. I really enjoyed working with Kimi from the start.Trainer for Kimi Räkkönen and Therapist for Kimi and DC After an incredible journey with Mika, winning 2 World Championships, travelling many miles, having lots of laughs and incredible experiences, Mika retires from F1. For me the year brought about my first big change in F1.McLaren were still in the fight but the tide had turned and Ferrari had become the dominant force in F1.Michael Schmacher wins for Ferrari with Mika finishing 2 nd. The World Championship again went down to the last race in Japan but this year it wasn’t meant to be.McLaren were not the dominant team of the past two seasons but still fighting closely with an ever-improving Ferrari.Winning the second World Championship was just as special as the first one with very similar levels of stress, pressure and joy.Ferrari were again our closest rival and took the fight down to the last race in Japan. Mika kept his cool, won the race and was crowned Double World Champion!.Another great Adrian Newey designed car combined with great momentum behind the team. We celebrated by having a huge party with Mika and the team! The season was constant high pressure and winning the World Championship was a combination of immense joy and relief.It turned out to be an exciting season with a nail biting end when in the final race in Japan Mika won his first World Championship beating a resurgent Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari.Adrian Newey was in his aerodynamic element and delivered a blinder of a car! We lapped the field in the first race in Australia. Trainer for Mika and Therapist for Mika and DC That is, until star F1 designer Adrian Newey came into the team towards the end of the season which set in motion a new beginning for McLaren. After the Spice Girls launched our new car, and we got a double podium in the first race, things went downhill.I gave up my clinic, moved to Monaco and started working full time for McLaren. After the 4th race Mika asked me to be his Trainer. ![]() My first season in F1 started as Sports Therapist to Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard (DC).I had an interview with Ron Dennis which lasted about 6 minutes before he told someone to “McLarenise” me. ![]()
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