Hakkinen hits back at McLaren F1 rumours, ‘ego plays a bigger role’

18:45, 26 Nov

byNorberto Mujica

McLaren F1 champion Mika Hakkinen has torn down sensitive favouritism rumours involving the Woking-based outfit.

"Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about one driver getting along better with the car than the other. That may be the case, but the ambition, the ego play the bigger role.”

- Mika Hakkinen.

Photo: RacePictures.

A theory has been posed forward regarding McLaren throwing in their support behind Lando Norris’ title bid over the team’s second driver Oscar Piastri. Hakkinen has addressed the claims stating: "I don't believe in that. A Formula 1 team cannot afford something like that. There is too much at stake for that," he fired to Sport Bild.

A matter of 'ambition' and 'ego'

According to the Finn the turn-around at McLaren, with Norris changing the status quo since the Italian Grand Prix, is down to a surge in the Briton’s motivation to become McLaren’s first champion since 2008. "[I’m] much more convinced that Lando was particularly motivated by the gap to Oscar and the fact that another driver could become the first McLaren world champion of this era.

“Lando has been with the team since 2019, Oscar only since 2023. He couldn't let that sit on him.

“It was the same with me. When I started at McLaren in 1993, we weren't capable of winning the title. In 1996, David Coulthard became my teammate and sat down in the nest I had made. I wouldn't have been able to bear it if the newcomer had beaten me. That motivated me to the tips of my hair.

In the Finn’s mind, a driver’s ambition and ego trump the car being suited to a particular style. "Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about one driver getting along better with the car than the other. That may be the case, but the ambition, the ego play the bigger role,” Hakkinen concluded.

Piastri gets the benefit of the doubt

Jamie Chadwick believes Piastri could have the edge over Norris at the Qatar Grand Prix, citing the circuit’s contrasting conditions to venues where Piastri has struggled. Read more

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