Hakkinen understands FIA: "Sometimes these decisions are very difficult"

The safety car finish in Monza caused much dissatisfaction, both among the spectators present and those involved from the Formula 1 paddock. Mika Hakkinen also speaks of a disappointing end, but at the same time he understands the FIA's rationale.

The Italian Grand Prix ended in an anticlimax. A late safety car made the tifosi hope that Ferrari would have another chance to keep Max Verstappen from victory, but as it took a very long time for Daniel Ricciardo's car to be removed from the track, the race ended behind the safety car.

Disappointment over Monza finish

Hakkinen understands that the finish was disappointing for the fans, but also understands the decision to end the race behind the safety car. "The FIA must put safety first and the marshals recovering Daniel Ricciardo’s car needed to be protected, so that was the most important thing," begins the two-time world champion in his column for Unibet.

Hakkinen hopes that ways will be found in the future to prevent a repeat, but stresses that there has to be a balance between an entertaining race and the safety of everyone involved. "Sometimes these decisions are very difficult, but I can understand the disappointment of losing those final laps behind a safety car," Hakkinen concludes.