Mika Salo

Mika Salo is a Finnish driver who raced for Sauber in 2000 and Toyota in 2002. He was already respected for his 1999 Ferrari substitute appearances, including a race where he came close to victory while replacing Michael Schumacher. At Sauber he scored points, and at Toyota he became a key figure in the manufacturer’s first Formula 1 season. Salo was not a flashy star, but he offered calm judgement, development feedback and reliable race execution. In the early 2000s he was one of the experienced drivers helping new or rebuilding teams find direction.