Mika Häkkinen, the two-time Formula One world champion, has echoed the thoughts of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the McLaren duo heading into a three-way title fight at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “Mikko” secured both his 1998 and 1999 championships with McLaren.
Better known as “The Flying Finn” for his exploits as the only driver who consistently challenged Michael Schumacher during his peak years, Häkkinen spoke to Telecom Asia Sport about the trending topic of Papaya Rules and whether they might hinder McLaren’s title push. Max Verstappen has split the McLaren pair in the standings, leaving all three with a chance to win the drivers’ championship.
Papaya Rules Under Scrutiny As Pressure Rises
The Papaya Rules revolve around equal opportunity for both McLaren drivers. While most drivers welcome such a policy, competing for a maiden world title could risk internal conflict and inadvertently give Verstappen, hungry for a fifth successive crown, the edge. On Thursday, both Norris and Piastri reiterated that they would focus on their individual roles as usual. Norris leads Verstappen by 12 points and Piastri by 16, and needs only a top-three finish to clinch the title.
Häkkinen’s Simple Message: Focus Above All Else
Häkkinen’s advice for the championship contenders, both of whom stand on the brink of ending the recent dominance of rival teams, was simple: unwavering focus.
I would approach this coming weekend like any other Grand Prix weekend. I would focus 100% on my job.
Drivers Call For Clean, Luck-Free Title Decider
On the delicate subject of team orders versus McLaren’s equal-opportunity approach, Häkkinen backed the fundamental instinct of every driver, to win.
“We all have a contract. We fight our rights, our power, our talents, our hard work over the years. But I’m a racing driver, you know, what is focusing for winning. I managed to do that twice. And maybe that says something already.
Other drivers, including Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr., also weighed in during their media interactions at Yas Marina Circuit. Sainz hoped for a trouble-free title decider determined purely by pace.
I only wish them the best. My preference is no luck involved, so no safety cars or red flags at the wrong time for any of them, because that will feel for sure heartbreaking as a driver.
“I just want a clean weekend and let the best guy win. I think obviously Lando is favourite going into it because he needs the top three and it’s a good track for McLaren and for him.”
Häkkinen dismissed suggestions that recent technical disqualifications and pit-stop errors indicated nerves within the McLaren camp, framing them instead as part of the sport’s natural unpredictability.
It’s purely motor racing. I think we’re all humans. And we cannot be right always.
Häkkinen Emphasises Safety as FIA Prepares Re-election
A week after the final race, the world body FIA will see its President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, re-elected unopposed. Speaking at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, Häkkinen emphasised that upholding Formula 1’s safety and integrity remains, in his view, the ultimate measure of leadership.
Reflecting on Ben Sulayem’s stewardship, Häkkinen offered a broader perspective on the FIA’s enduring responsibilities.
I always think about what matters in Formula 1. FIA’s main focus since my time always has been safety; that way the drivers don’t get hurt, the team members don’t get hurt, and if by that way it is a fair game, then everybody has a chance to win and have great success.
“That requires sometimes hard decisions in regulations, compromises, sometimes which are not even favoured for the sport itself, but you have to follow this direction of safety.”
