"The Flying Finn" (Finnish: Lentävä suomalainen) is a nickname given to several Finnish athletes. Originally, it was given to several Finnish middle and long-distance runners. The term was later extended to notable Finnish racing sportsmen.
Motorsport
Rallying
Timo Mäkinen and Rauno Aaltonen at the 1965 1000 Lakes Rally The nickname was next used to describe the efforts of Finnish rally drivers in the 1960s. Timo Mäkinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Simo Lampinen were among the first drivers referenced as the Flying Finn. In 1968, Castrol released a film called "The Flying Finns", it featured the 1968 1000 Lakes Rally and concentrated on documenting the duel between Mäkinen and Hannu Mikkola. The term then moved on to the next generations of Finnish rally drivers, and among others, the four-time World Rally Champions Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Mäkinen were often referred to as Flying Finns.
Formula 1
Mika Häkkinen at the 2000 United States Grand Prix. The first driver to carry the nickname in Formula One was Leo Kinnunen. Kinnunen had the title written on his helmet in 1970, when he won the World Sportscar Championship for Porsche.[3] However, he wasn't able to turn his success in sports car racing into a successful F1 career in his underpowered Surtees. In the 1980s the moniker was given to Keke Rosberg, who became the first well-known Finn in the sport, winning the 1982 world championship. Following the success of later Finnish drivers, Rosberg has been described as the "original Flying Finn".[4] After Rosberg, many Finnish Formula 1 drivers have also been called the "Flying Finn", including Mika Häkkinen, who won the drivers' championship in 1998 and 1999,[5] Mika Salo,[6] Kimi Räikkönen, who was drivers' champion in 2007,[7] Heikki Kovalainen,[8] and Valtteri Bottas.[9]
List of Flying Finns
Motorsport[edit] Rauno Aaltonen – rally driver Markku Alén – rally driver Marcus Grönholm – two time World Rally Champion Mikko Hirvonen – rally driver Joonas Kylmäkorpi – four time world Long track champiom Jari-Matti Latvala – rally driver Tommi Mäkinen – four time World Rally Champion Heikki Mikkola – four-time motocross world champion Keke Rosberg – F1 World Champion Jarno Saarinen – Motorcycle World Champion Juha Kankkunen – four time World Rally Champion Juha Salminen – twelve time World Enduro Champion Timo Salonen – rally driver Marko Tarkkala – enduro rider Mika Salo – two time Le Mans GT2 winner Kari Tiainen – seven time World Enduro Champion Henri Toivonen – rally driver Ari Vatanen – rally driver Patu Leppälä – F1 boat driver Sami Seliö – F1 Boat World Champion Mika Häkkinen – two time F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen – F1 World Champion/World Rally Championship Driver Winter Sports[edit] Janne Ahonen – ski jumper Toni Haikonen – snowmobile racer Jari Kurri; ice hockey player Matti Nykänen – ski jumper Kalle Palander – alpine skier Teemu Selänne – ice hockey player Kalevi Häkkinen – speed skier[13] Patu Leppälä – Speed Skiing World Champion Other Flying Finns[edit] Pertti Karppinen, triple Olympic rowing champion. Jarkko Nieminen, tennis player known for his speed
I dont think its so obvious even in here. Tabloids try to create some fight between them but both have been very neutral and Kimi more like he is. Not interested..Bottas just knows Kimi is liked but he knows also there are people who will notice him once he stabilies his position on top. Bottas is just so neutral he doesnt get attention. Even if he is from my neighbourhood I am not as hard fan of him as Kimis. I follow him and respect his talent but..not won my heart yet.
The first flying finn was Paavo Nurmi, long distance runner who won in olympics some..sixty years or more ago. He was a rare talent who was accused of "doping" . He , just like Eero Mäntyranta, skier, had oversized heart, which was clear profit, but they died relatively young.