Mika Hakkinen won his final Formula 1 race 25 years ago at Indianapolis despite a grid penalty for a pit lane infringement.

Mika Hakkinen secured his final Formula 1 victory at Indianapolis 25 years ago today, overcoming a grid penalty that dropped him from the front row to a lower starting position. The McLaren driver had originally qualified second alongside pole-winner Michael Schumacher but received a penalty after driving through a red light at the pit lane exit during pre-race warm-up.

Stewards deleted Hakkinen's fastest qualifying time, forcing him to start further back in the field. Despite the setback, the two-time world champion fought through to claim victory in what would prove to be his last Formula 1 win.

The 2001 United States Grand Prix also featured post-race controversy when Jarno Trulli was initially disqualified from fourth place due to non-conforming skid blocks on his Jordan. The team successfully appealed the decision a month later after proving only two of the required three stewards had been present when the exclusion was decided.

The Indianapolis race marked the final regular commentary appearance for beloved British television voice Murray Walker, ending an era of Formula 1 broadcasting as the penultimate round of the 2001 season concluded.