Häkkinen warns McLaren about Verstappen: “Why create problems?”
Two world championships for drivers and one for constructors achieved with McLaren convert to Mika Häkkinen in an authoritative voice within the world of F1. Speaking to the ‘Up to Speed’ podcast, he has spoken about how building and maintaining a winning team spirit is extremely complex, which is why he would advise McLaren not generate conflict within the team with the signing of Max Verstappen.
The flying Finn formed together with David Coulthard one of the longest-serving pairs of drivers in the history of Formula 1. six seasons They were together in the Woking team, the same ones that Schumacher and Barrichello in Ferrariwith whom they share the record. Häkkinen continues to have a close relationship with the Woking team, to the point that his daughter, Ella Häkkinenis part of its pilot development program.
The key to uncorking a ‘silly season’ to remember during 2026 lies in the decision you can make Verstappen about whether to abandon or not Red Bull.
“When I see how McLaren works, they always take the whole team into account. That’s the only way to be successful: you have to create an incredible team spirit. Once you achieve that, as a team principal, I would try to minimize the risk. Because certain decisions can cause us to lose that wonderful team spirit.”
If there is harmony within the team, why jeopardize it by signing another driver?
This team spirit would be threatened with the possible arrival of Verstappen, an unnecessary risk for Häkkinen. “If a team like McLaren has two brilliant drivers, why create problems? Furthermore, McLaren also has a world champion in its squad. If there is harmony within the team, why jeopardize it by signing another driver?“.
Unlike when he was driving, he would not be interested in risking anything when making driver changes. “If you ask me what I would do, I would like to minimize that risk”.
About Norris and Piastri
Häkkinen highlights that McLaren It already has a driver who has proven he can be world champion with the indicated car among their ranks, Lando Norris. If the ‘papayas’ signed Verstappenit would be like telling the Briton directly that they do not believe he is the best driver to lead their team.
His praise is not only for Norris, Hakkinen leaves both drivers very high. “I hold Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in high regard.. They are extraordinarily talented drivers, very professional and, in my opinion, they don’t get too carried away by emotions. “It’s good for a team to have drivers like that on the roster, because they perform very consistently.”
