“In my bed, smiling”
Mika Salo, born 30 November 1966, is a Finnish former professional racing driver. He competed in Formula One between 1994 and 2002. His best ranking was tenth in the F1 World Championship in 1999, when he stood in for the injured Michael Schumacher at Ferrari for six races, scoring two podiums.
Picture above: Mika Salo (Tyrrell 023 Yamaha), 1995 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The Finn qualified in 16th position, just ahead of team mate Katayama, and finished the race in an excellent fifth position, scoring two championship points.
After a few years racing in Japan, Mika Salo made his first Formula One start at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix for the ailing Lotus team. He remembers: “I think it was six days before the race they said, ‘Do you think you can drive it next weekend with no testing?’, I’d never driven a Formula One car before in my life; that’s what I’ve always wanted, so I said yes. I know the circuit so I don’t think its a problem. The next two nights I lay in my bed smiling, so happy it was happening.”
Picture below: For his first Grand Prix, Mika Salo qualified his Lotus Mugen-Honda in 25th place, and finished the race in a good 10th position a lap down on winner Damon Hill.