Hakkinen praises Verstappen: "Pit stop was quick and perfectly timed"

According to Mika Hakkinen, the current season is one to remember. According to the former Formula 1 driver, the Russian Grand Prix was an incredible race to watch.

Lewis Hamilton eventually managed to win the race after it started raining hard in the final laps. "It is a very important win in relation to the World Championship. It is Lewis’s first victory since his home win at Silverstone in July, and one he needed to score since championship rival Max Verstappen started from the back of the grid," Hakkinen says on Unibet.

Max Verstappen started the race at the back due to an engine change, which Hakkinen says was a brave decision that has worked out well. "Red Bull Racing’s decision to give Max a new power unit, putting him to the back of the grid on a circuit which normally suits Mercedes, and eliminating his 3-place grid penalty, took a lot of courage. It really paid off."

Championship in balance

"It was amazing to see Max finished 2nd. For a long time, it looked like this Grand Prix was going away from him, trapped outside the top 5 and finding it difficult to make the progress he wanted. When the rain came his pit stop was quick and perfectly timed," Hakkinen continues.

"That second place means that although Lewis won the race and regained the lead in the World Championship, Max is only 2 points behind. The championship could not be more finely balanced." Hakkinen can't wait for the Turkish Grand Prix.