Hakkinen: Ricciardo switched teams too often

Former Formula 1 driver Mika Hakkinen thinks Daniel Ricciardo may not return to Formula 1 after missing the 2023 season…

Mika Hakkinen: “In 2002 I decided to skip the season and after three or four months in Monaco I realized that I absolutely did not want to go back. Performance in Formula 1 requires a lot of strength and energy, physically and psychologically. And by the middle of the season I had already decided that I would not return.

If Daniel takes a year off, he may not come back. If you’re wondering if it’s worth ending your career, then you can’t perform anymore. My situation was slightly different, I was a two-time world champion and I reached my goal. Daniel is different. His results have deteriorated, now that he is not in the best shape, many are doubting his speed. This will significantly complicate the return after a one-year hiatus.

If you’re not fast enough, there’s always a reason. And it seems to me that he is not talking about this with the press, with the fans and the team. But he has to understand for himself why he can’t perform at a teammate’s level.

Racers have gotten harder. In our time we were constantly testing and the car was made especially for you. Now the car cannot be adapted to a specific driver as there are no tests during the season. And if the car was far from ideal initially, you have to adapt to it, adapt your driving style, and that’s not fun at all, but if your partner succeeds and you don’t.

I hope Riccardo comes back. He is a bright racer. In my opinion, he switched teams too often. Red Bull, Renault, McLaren. Switching teams is always a risk. It can be difficult for engineers to understand what a rider needs. Sometimes it takes too long.”