Mika started in karting, and competed for five years before heading to Germany and its Formula BMW ADAC series in 2005, finishing fourth in the Rookie Cup, and took his first victory at the Norisring.

He moved to the Eifelland Racing Team for the 2006 season, finishing as runner-up with nine podiums.

During the season he won five rounds and gained the title of Italian Formula Renault Champion.

He lost control of the car at the entrance of a tunnel, where the speed limit is 40 km/h (25 mph), according to local press a number of pedestrians were also thought to have been caught up in the incident and suffered bruising due to flying debris.

Reports quoted local police as suggesting that Mäki may have been involved in a street race.