Hakkinen praises Piastri's 'extremely beautiful' driving and future potential
F1 legend Mika Hakkinen has praised Oscar Piastri's "extremely beautiful" driving and smooth tyre management, calling him a "fantastic driver." While acknowledging Piastri's late-2025 mistakes, Hakkinen attributed them to the immense pressures of a debut title fight and believes the McLaren star will grow stronger from the experience.
Two-time champion Mika Hakkinen has lauded Oscar Piastri's "extremely beautiful" driving style and natural talent, while offering a veteran's perspective on the young Australian's late-season struggles in the intense 2025 title fight. Hakkinen believes Piastri's core ability is undeniable and that he will grow stronger with experience, predicting a great future for the McLaren driver.
Why it matters:
Hakkinen’s endorsement carries significant weight given his own championship pedigree and role as a McLaren ambassador. His analysis moves beyond simple praise, providing a nuanced take on the mental and physical challenges a young driver faces in a protracted championship battle, especially alongside a title-winning teammate. It underscores that Piastri is viewed within the paddock as a generational talent whose racecraft is already highly respected.
The details:
- Hakkinen highlighted Piastri's great personality, car control, and his exceptional skill in managing modern F1 tyres as key strengths.
- He specifically described the Australian's driving as "extremely beautiful" and "very consistent."
- The Finn directly addressed Piastri's costly mistakes in the latter part of the 2025 season, noting that only Piastri himself could explain why his performance dipped under maximum pressure.
- Hakkinen pointed to the unique pressure of having a teammate like Lando Norris, who clinched the 2025 title, stating, "You cannot have two world champions in the team. There can be only one."
- Reflecting on his own career, Hakkinen suggested fatigue from travel, media pressure, and the grueling season schedule likely contributed to Piastri's errors, a challenge he himself overcame with time and experience.
What's next:
Hakkinen is confident that Piastri will learn and develop from the intense experiences of the 2025 campaign. He expects the young driver to return stronger, better equipped to handle the full-season pressure, and continue to be a formidable force at McLaren. With his raw talent acknowledged and the hard lessons of a title fight absorbed, Piastri's trajectory remains pointed firmly upward.