Mika Häkkinen believes that McLaren should not give in to the temptation to recruit Max Verstappen, despite the many rumors surrounding the future of the four-time world champion.
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According to the Finnish two-time world champion, the British team already has a strong and balanced driver duo with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, and disrupting this dynamic would represent an unnecessary risk.
Still an ambassador for the brand, Häkkinen emphasizes that McLaren has always focused on the strength of the collective rather than on individuals.
Do not destabilize what works
For him, lasting success is above all about excellent team spirit, which must be preserved at all costs. Even though Verstappen is one of the best drivers on the grid, he believes it is better to “minimize the risk” of breaking this harmony.
The former driver recalls that Norris and Piastri have been working together since 2023 and have largely contributed to McLaren’s return to the forefront. Their relationship, both competitive and constructive, is, in his opinion, a major asset in the fight for championships.
Drawing on his own experience at McLaren alongside David Coulthard, with whom he formed one of the longest-lasting duos in Formula 1 history, Häkkinen stresses the importance of stability. He believes that when a team already has two excellent drivers who work well together, there is no reason to “rock the boat” by recruiting a new superstar.
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“It’s very interesting, said the Finn. Of course, it’s not just Max on the market. There are also many other drivers. What I have seen with the way McLaren operates is that they always try to consider the whole team package. Because that is the only way to achieve success: build an incredible team spirit and a real collective strength.”
Why change?
According to him, bringing in Verstappen could weaken this harmony: “If you asked me what I would do, I would like to minimize this risk. That way, you avoid losing that kind of team spirit. If the team already has two great drivers, why change anything? And McLaren already has a world champion in its ranks with Norris.”
To illustrate his point, Hakkinen also draws on his own experience within the British team. Between 1996 and 2001, he shared the garage with David Coulthard, a particularly long collaboration in recent F1 history.
“Look, we were the teammates who stayed together the longest in Formula 1 at the time anyway, he recalls addressing Coulthard in his podcast. That shows that when there is good harmony in a team, then why want someone else?”
Häkkinen does not question Verstappen’s talent but considers that McLaren would have more to lose than gain by changing a balance that currently allows it to play a leading role. For him, building and preserving strong internal cohesion is often more difficult – and more valuable – than bringing together the most prestigious drivers.