F1 legend fires ominous Red Bull warning after his McLaren prediction came true

01 August 2023 , 19:06

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McLaren have emerged to be one of the closest challengers to Red Bull in recent weeks (Image: Getty Images)

Mika Hakkinen is full of praise for what Red Bull have achieved – but warned Max Verstappen that this situation won't last forever.

Red Bull have won every race so far this season, with the Dutchman responsibly for 10 of those 12 victories. It means both have effectively sealed both titles already, regarding a remarkable turn of events in the final 10 rounds.

Some fans have complained as a result, worried that Formula 1 has become too predictable. But, as double world champion Hakkinen pointed out, those who are winning and their fans are not going to be too concerned about that.

"When I was racing in Formula 1, when I was winning, and dominating in 1998 with my teammate, David Coulthard, I felt that the year was fantastic," the Finn told RacingNews365. "It was not boring, and I'm sure Max is experiencing the same thing. He is not bored, he doesn't think the races are boring.

"All the time he is raising his personal limits and his performance, which is great, but of course, when fans who are not fans of Max are looking, they think it is boring, but the fans of Max think it is the best thing. Max is a winner at the moment, Red Bull is a winner at the moment and this is motor racing."

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But, as Hakkinen added, this situation will eventually change. "Is it going to last forever? No, because that's how history repeats itself. There will be changes coming. When? I don't know, but I can only say that the work they do and the success they get, they deserve that. Let them enjoy it."

It comes after the former McLaren driver made a rather outlandish-sounding prediction about his old team which turned out to be true. He made it in June, when the Woking squad was still underperforming after a slow start to the season.

But Hakkinen still felt confident enough in his former team to declare: "The only surprise I think we'll see is McLaren's possible progress during the next two months. I think they will surprise us massively. Just in terms of the speed of the car, they will probably challenge Red Bull."

And he turned out to be correct, now we have seen the results of their significant upgrades package. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been challenging Verstappen in qualifying for the last three race weekends.

And they have been able to fight respectably in race conditions too. Norris held the lead for a few laps at the British Grand Prix, while Piastri was in front for around half of the Belgium Sprint race before the Dutchman got the better of him.

Daniel Moxon