P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mika Hakkinen has proffered his own experience of realising when it was time to walk away from F1 as a cautionary tale for Lewis Hamilton, who will seek to claim the elusive eighth drivers’ championship at Ferrari.
Mika Hakkinen advised Lewis Hamilton to be honest with himself and Ferrari if he believes he’s lost his edge in Formula 1. Hakkinen drew parallels between his own decision to retire in 2001 and Hamilton’s current situation. After experiencing a decline in performance, Hakkinen understood the importance of acknowledging when one’s speed diminishes. Hamilton has expressed concerns about his speed, similar to Hakkinen’s experience before retiring. Hakkinen emphasized the significance of honesty and self-awareness, urging Hamilton to address any performance issues. Despite Hamilton’s struggles, Hakkinen believes he will work to improve and perform better this season.