F1 News
Hakkinen believes Norris and Piastri are 'potential world champions'
Former F1 world champion Mika Hakkinen has predicted that his former team, McLaren, will win the 2024 constructors world championship in Abu Dhabi. The Papaya team are currently leading the standings, with challengers Ferrari 21 points behind them. McLaren world champion Mika Hakkinen believes that his former team will seal the deal in the final race of the season, explaining what makes them so fast in the process.
"This weekend is all about the Formula 1 World Championship for Constructors as my former team, McLaren, goes up against Ferrari in the final race of the season," he began in his column for Unibet. "The two teams are separated by only 21 points, but with 44 points available on Sunday for a 1-2 finish and fastest lap, Ferrari will be looking for a perfect result and hoping that McLaren has a tough weekend," he explained. On paper, McLaren is more likely to win the constructors title. Ferrari cannot be written off yet, however. The Italian team are looking for their first constructors title since 2008.
Hakkinen: 'I will be the first to congratulate McLaren'
Hakkinen won both his world titles with McLaren and, coincidentally, led McLaren to their most recent constructors championship glory in 1998. The Finn went on to praise the whole team for their efforts in turning the ship around quickly. "McLaren are in a super strong position and I have to admit I will be the first person to congratulate the drivers and team bosses Andrea Stella and Zak Brown if they can take the Constructors’ title. They have done incredible work in recent seasons to bring McLaren back to full competitiveness. To win this year’s Constructors’ title would be a brilliant achievement," he explained.
McLaren have 'two potential world champions'
Hakkinen then went on to explain why his ex-team is once again at the top end of the Formula 1 grid. "McLaren have produced a car which gives their drivers confidence. They have also developed it across the season. The factory and the race team are working together fantastically well, and in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, they have one of the best driver line-ups in Formula 1. Young, talented, aggressive and hungry, they are both capable race winners and potential World Champions," Hakkinen said.
"While McLaren and Ferrari have won five Grands Prix each this season, McLaren’s consistency in scoring 10 second-placed finishes has made the difference. I think that will again be critical on Sunday, and McLaren knows it just needs another decent points-scoring result to claim the title." The Finn concluded.
The 24th and final race of the season takes place at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi this weekend before a long off-season takes place. The wait is long for fans, but it gives drivers, teams, and all those involved in F1 a chance to rest and recuperate before they return to action in 2025.
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!