Former champion Mika Häkkinen does not believe that Red Bull still has a chance at the constructors’ title. The Finn has long pointed out the team’s weakness; only one driver performs consistently. Häkkinen indirectly suggests that the Austrians should have replaced Sergio Pérez much earlier. Red Bull dropped back to third place in the championship last week.
“I have always said that it is of utmost importance that both drivers perform consistently,” Häkkinen explained in his preview for Unibet. “That has proven to be Red Bull’s weakness.” Max Verstappen, who has already scored 362 points this season, is still defending the first place among the drivers. Teammate Sergio Pérez has to make do with 150 points and is still eighth in the championship, behind the competition from Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.
“Max Verstappen won seven of the first ten races and thus built a large lead in the championship,” Häkkinen continued. “But since June, he has not won a race. Meanwhile, Checo has not been on the podium since the GP of China. As a result, Max (Verstappen) now has to compete against two cars from both McLaren and Ferrari.
Ferrari or McLaren?
In the lead-up to the summer break, McLaren emerged as the most dominant team in Formula 1. The MCL38 proved unbeatable on many circuits. However, it is Ferrari that has scored the most points in the last two races. “Ferrari has done a tremendous job since the summer break,” stated Häkkinen. The Italians stood on the podium with two drivers in Austin and Mexico City and won three of the last five Grands Prix. McLaren still leads the constructors, although Scuderia is only 29 points behind. Red Bull still needs to make up 54 points on the ‘papayas’.
For the upcoming Brazilian GP, Häkkinen expects another McLaren or Ferrari driver to finish on top. “Charles Leclerc will make a strong comeback in Interlagos,” said the Finn. “But Lando Norris will push just as hard for the win and will receive support from his team. He still wants to beat Max (Verstappen), so it’s going to be a fascinating weekend.”
