Hakkinen: "It will be very difficult for Hamilton to accept that"

Verstappen and Hamilton take big risks

The rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen also resulted in hefty crashes, of which Verstappen's crash at Silverstone was the worst. The Dutchman drove into the tires at 180 km/h and had to go to the hospital with a concussion. Hakkinen, who himself experienced a hard crash in Adelaide in 1995, condemns the hard fight between the two drivers.

In conversation with the English newspaper Independent, Hakkinen said that it is not his style, how Verstappen and Hamilton fight with each other. According to the Finn, this has to do with his own accident, after which he had to spend a lot of time in hospital. "I know the pain when things go wrong. Verstappen and Hamilton don't know that, so they take very big risks." Also, according to Hakkinen, they rely very much on the safety of the car and the track.

Interesting year for Hamilton

Since the dramatic of the season in Abu Dhabi, it remained virtually silent around Hamilton, followed by rumours that he might quit Formula One. Hakkinen hopes that he will return, but does think that the new regulations will make it an interesting year for Hamilton.

The drivers will have a completely different car, so there is a good chance that Mercedes will still not have an optimal car next season. "It will be very difficult for Hamilton to accept that, " thinks the 1998 and 1999 world champion. He thinks it will be emotionally tough for Hamilton if he has to fight his way back to the front because he no longer has the best car at his disposal.