Ex-F1 Champion Mika Hakkinen Speaks Against Max Verstappen’s F1 Schedule Suggestion

Max Verstappen recently spoke against how the emerging street circuits are frivolous for the modern Formula 1 car. He claims that most street circuits aren’t fundamentally designed for these high-performing cars.

He personally doesn’t enjoy them at all. But on the other hand, there will be an additional street circuit in the next year’s calendar with Las Vegas coming in, and none of the older street circuits is going away.

Monaco is probably the most despised street circuit on the calendar, as modern cars can’t overtake there. Meanwhile, the Jeddah street circuit is classified as dangerous and crash-prone. So, it’s not Verstappen alone who shares this animosity.

🗣️ | Max Verstappen on street circuits:

“In Monaco and Singapore I was very disappointed with how the new cars went through the streets. They are too heavy, too stiff, you cant take kerbs with it anymore. The cars are just not built for it.” pic.twitter.com/b21GhM50I9

— AnythingF1 (@AnythingF1_) November 27, 2022

Also read: Sebastian Vettel Was Once Rooting Against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid for the Champions League Final

Mika Hakkinen speaks opposite to Max Verstappen

While Verstappen has spoken against having street circuits and is more in favour of having conventional tracks, former F1 champion Mika Hakkinen sees them as excellent inputs in the calendar.

He looks at the commercial aspect of it, as the street circuits are usually within a city, unlike their counterparts. So, massive luxuries are involved, and he claims it suits the audience.

“Formula 1 is Formula 1, it’s a luxury business, and people can enjoy an incredible atmosphere. So to have races in the cities, I think it’s brilliant,” said Hakkinen.

Moreover, he also claims that the difficulty in driving the F1 cars on street circuits further challenges the driver, and it’s interesting to watch. He even remarks that at the end of the day, drivers are paid millions for doing this only.

A new excitement

The street circuits bring in the next level of excitement. Famous since the arrival of Singapore and Azerbaijan, the street circuits are the new go-to model for the newer F1 destinations.

Over the last two years, Miami, Jeddah and Las Vegas have only brought in street circuits. Considering they are trickier and drivers are more likely to make mistakes and remain under pressure, some exciting racing can be expected.

Moreover, Monaco GP has always been associated with luxury, where celebrities come and watch a race on their yachts. That’s why Miami created a fake marina to give a similar feeling. But for how long will this trend remain? As there are ghost street circuits like Valencia too. Revealing that all of it can be a big failure too.

Also read: Felipe Massa On 2008 Title Heartbreak

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

Read More