The Formula 1 world is abuzz with the recent clash between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen at the Austrian Grand Prix. As the British Grand Prix looms, the rivalry between these two drivers is gripping the paddock. Former world champion Mika Häkkinen believes Verstappen was the one who ‘crossed the line’ in Spielberg, attributing this primarily to the risks drivers can take in today’s racing world.
The collision in Austria unexpectedly ended Norris’s race when he ran into Verstappen, forcing the latter to make an immediate pit stop and squandering his chance of victory. Häkkinen reflects on the incident in his column, stating, “The rivalry is fantastic for Formula 1. I love these kinds of battles; two drivers in fast cars having to race hard for the win. As long as everything stays within the white lines, it’s perfect.”
Former F1 Champion Discusses Recent Collision
The 55-year-old Finn is not surprised that the battle on the Red Bull Ring ended in a collision. “Let’s look at it from Max’s (Verstappen) perspective,” he writes. “You’re a three-time world champion, racing on your team’s home circuit, and leading the race in front of thousands of Dutch fans. If you’re about to be overtaken, you use everything you have to defend your position. You want to make it as difficult as possible for the car behind you. However, I do believe that you should always stay within the white lines – you’re really going too far if you start pushing someone off the track.”
Does Safety Encourage Crashing?
Häkkinen compares the clash with the battles he himself has fought. “I remember what it was like to race against Michael Schumacher, the best driver of my time,” he continues. “In Austria, he was right behind me, with less fuel on board. I did everything I could to keep him behind me, but I also knew that we would crash if I turned into him. In the past, we avoided such collisions because we knew it could end very badly.”
“These days, everything is much safer,” Häkkinen explains. “The drivers know they can sustain some damage. However, they must not forget that they also have a role model function. As soon as you start pushing each other off the track, young drivers will think that’s acceptable. That’s why it’s up to the stewards to make clear what is and isn’t allowed and to punish the drivers in the right way.”
