Max Verstappen sealed his second F1 title in Japan (Photo: Getty)
Two-time Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen believes that Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull in the future.
Verstappen sealed his second F1 title at last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix and many have tipped the Dutchman to match or even surpass Sir Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher’s record of seven titles.
‘Max’s 12th win of the year really shows how much he deserved this year’s World Championship – he dominated,’ Hakkinen, who claimed both the 1998 and 1999 title in Japan, told Unibet.
‘This was a fantastic performance by Max, the kind of race you dream about when going for the World Championship title.
‘He said before the weekend that he just wanted it to be perfect and he was in a class of his own.’
It is looking to be a perfect year for the Red Bull team, with the driver’s championship won and the constructors’ likely to be sealed at the next race in the USA.
They could also complete a 1-2 finish in the standings for the first time ever, with Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez currently in second, a point ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with just four grand prix left.
Mika Hakkinen won the F1 title in 1998 and 1999 with McLaren (Photo: Getty)
With everything going swimmingly, Verstappen will no doubt be delighted that he penned a very long contract extension with Red Bull that will keep him with the team till 2028.
The 25-year-old has previously said that he is more than happy to remain at the team for the rest of his career, however long that proves to be, but Hakkinen does not think that will be the case.
The Flying Finn believes that circumstances can change for drivers, and if Verstappen really wants to top Hamilton and Schumacher he may be forced to change teams in case Red Bull cannot deliver a title-winning car.
Verstappen has spent his entire career with the Red Bull programme (Photo: Getty)
He added: ‘It is great that Verstappen signs such a long-term contract, but there is always the risk that when important people leave the car is no longer performing to the driver’s expectations.
‘At that point, a driver will wonder if it is time to switch teams. I don’t think Max Verstappen will stay with Red Bull for the rest of his career.
‘That’s just my opinion. But historically, drivers have often switched teams for various reasons, even if they had multiple titles with one specific team. That could be financial reasons, or simply because they were ready for a new environment.’
Verstappen has spent his entire career with the Red Bull programme, but perhaps ironically, Hakkinen spent nearly all of his career with McLaren, though he retired shortly after his claimed his last title.
His point stands though, with Hamilton and Schumacher leaving the comforts of McLaren and Benetton to achieve dominance with Mercedes and Ferrari respectively.
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The Dutchman is contracted to Red Bull until 2028.