‘Max and Hamilton played with fire,’ Mika Hakkinen critical of championship rivals’ dangerous battle on track

‘Max and Hamilton played with fire,’ Mika Hakkinen critical of championship rivals’ dangerous battle on track

Lewis and Max

2021 season of f1 is one of the most chaotic and dangerous seasons of all time. Spectators around the world have seen the friendly rivalry between the contending champions transition into rather ugly and life-threatening, with both the Mercedes and Red bull’s first drivers, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton taking the tough battle on track with big risks, the two-time F1 World Champion believes that both the drivers played with fire this season with a lot at stake.

Mika Hakkinen nicknamed, ‘The Flying Finn’ recalls the incidents of Silverstone and Monza which could lead to unfortunate events. He is well acquainted with the situation as he has also been through a miserable incident, wishing it not to land upon anyone.

Mika was a victim to a cold accident in Australia in 1995 where he had to spend two months in hospital, after hitting the sides, the wall with the speed of almost 200km/hr. The accident led to an emergency tracheotomy to save his life. He said that while watching Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen perform such fiercely and without caution, he gets nervous as he does not want them to have any serious permanent incidents.

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They take very big risks: Hakkinen on Max-Hamilton rivalry

Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on 2021 Abu Dhabi GP podium

He said the following as he assumes that the two drivers are taking such risks due to safety measures and their faith in the safety of the car and that of the track but until one is cautious, there will be consequences to face.

“Is it my style to do things like these two drivers did? Not really, it’s not my style and that’s because I had a very bad accident. I spent a lot of time in hospital and I know the pain when things go wrong. These two drivers don’t know that, so they take very big risks,” said Hakkinen.

The two young drivers need to understand the matter of safety and not let their rivalry for the World Championship overshadow the simple element of living. Even though 2022 season confirms drama, Spectators wish to see a friendly rivalry without any heartbreaks and suffering.

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