Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen will “see some surprises” and encounter a more difficult test in his bid for a third straight F1 crown next year. That’s according to two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen, who believes the sport’s changing regulations open up opportunities for other outfits to impress.
Verstappen, 25, successfully defended his title this past season, winning 15 of the 22 races held to retain the trophy with four events to spare. The Dutchman finished 2022 almost 150 points ahead of second-place Charles Leclerc, compared to the eight points that separated him and Lewis Hamilton at the end of last year.
Mercedes’ resurgence over the second half of 2022 has given the Silver Arrows belief that Hamilton and George Russell can launch a more serious challenge next term. And Hakkinen has warned of unexpected spanners in the works that wil threaten Red Bull’s rule.
“Hey [Verstappen] has done a great job with a great team and great engineers,” the Finn told Sky Sports. “Regulations of Formula 1 are different now than it used to be in my time, or used to be three or four years ago. That gives a lot of opportunities to other teams for success.
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Verstappen’s 2022 points total of 454 is the largest on record by a significant gap, although in the second year F1 has held a record 22 races. His title win—with four races to spare—was also the earliest the title has been clinched since Nigel Mansell won the 1992 gong for Williams with five races remaining.
Mercedes’ struggles to adapt to the latest regulation changes are proof even the sport’s superpowers are not impervious to falling from grace. Their resurgence could prove critical if Verstappen’s recent reign is to be stopped, while some of the grid’s more minor names hope to have a more substantial say in the title race.
