Mika Hakkinen on Hamilton-Verstappen rivalry

At the end of the season, Mercedes was able to take on the W13 car, it got a whole host of different technical innovations, allowing Lewis Hamilton to claim victory again. He hasn’t won a race yet in 2022, but in Austin and Mexico City he finished second twice behind Max Verstappen, who secured his second title ahead of schedule and continues to win.

This season, between Hamilton and Verstappen, there wasn’t quite the animosity that came with their clash last year, when the battle for the title continued until the final lap of the final Grand Prix, but it’s possible they could return in 2023. a fundamental battle for victories. Of course, if Mercedes can build a car that will challenge Red Bull Racing.

Two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen once rode with Michael Schumacher and knows from personal experience what the maximum intensity of pressure is, because in 1998 and 2000. the fate of the title was also only decided in the last races of the season.

While participating in The Race podcast, Hakkinen drew attention to certain parallels between the history of his rivalry with Schumacher and duels between Hamilton and Verstappen last year.

“First of all, they are both great racers,” said Mika. “Lewis has shown incredible skills and maturity over the years, which is evident in the way he talks about Formula 1, about himself, about the fans. He is a very interesting person and of course he has fantastic speed and experience on the road. the job.

Max is still a young gentleman, but despite his age he has already achieved great results, he is a real fighter. When you compete with him, this is the case when you wouldn’t want to have such a formidable opponent.

I had the chance to fight with Michael Schumacher in my youth, and sometimes he would allow himself to play pranks on the track and never give up. When we talk about Max and Lewis, they were sometimes in similar situations.

But you need to accurately measure the degree of risk you take when fighting an opponent. And we saw very dangerous situations involving Max and Lewis. In addition, they are both fantastic and very talented flyers.

Lewis is distinguished by an incredible level of physical and mental fitness. It is a very interesting period in Formula 1 right now – simply because the time available for testing is extremely limited. Therefore, an experienced racer is useful not only in cases where some surprises occur during pit stops, and not only in changeable weather.

The strength of such a racer is that it is distinguished by a special mastery of the car, developed to the highest level, when it is ready for any surprises. Money can’t buy that kind of experience, which is why Lewis’s work is so impressive.

I have always known that he is fast and talented, but I am also impressed by the kind of person he has become, the way he communicates – all of this is a great example for young drivers.”

Max Verstappen’s driving style and fighting style on track have been the subject of debate, but the Dutchman has never been in a situation where he would have been disqualified. But with Hakkinen’s career this was the story: In 1994, in his first season with McLaren, he was suspended from participating in the Hungarian Grand Prix due to incidents at Silverstone and Hockenheim. This was a lesson for him and already in the next stage, in Belgium, Mika climbed on the podium again.

Hakkinen has no doubts that Max Verstappen will continue to learn, gain experience and improve his skills: “I think that will be the case, because when you are young you have confidence and you act with courage and courage on the track. This way you end up in different stories. They can happen until you really understand what life is and what racing is. But the way you develop in a human sense is always very personal.

Max is a very aggressive young rider, but everything takes time. I think as you start winning races and qualifying and showing the fastest laps, you gradually calm down. This doesn’t mean you stop attacking at the limit, but you just start to understand when it’s really necessary to do it and feel what condition your car is in. That is why Max will continue to study.”