Motorsport: Let's get technical, says Hakkinen

After the first round of the Formula One championship in Bahrain, there were murmurings this year's season was going to be a snooze fest.

The following two races in Australia and Malaysia put paid to that with some exciting racing and surprise, surprise - overtaking.

However, thank the rain and some poor decision-making for adding a bit of spice to the proceedings.

Next week's fourth round in China will be the indicator as to whether the rule-makers have got it right this year.

Fans crave excitement, and a procession of cars will not entice people to watch week in, week out.

The Weekend Herald spoke exclusively to former twice F1 world champion, and the only driver seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher said he was afraid of, Mika Hakkinen, to hear what he thought of this year's racing so far.

"The sport is still exciting and some tracks make for better racing than others," said Hakkinen. "People have to have a deeper and better understanding of F1 and understand what the driver is going through and what the teams are doing.

"They should study it. If you just turn on your television and watch the Grand Prix and watch people go around and around, it's boring and you change the channel. The more knowledge you have, the more interesting it is. There is so much more technical information available now, including on-board cameras, but you have to be interested in that stuff."

The march of car, chassis and engine technology has been relentless over the past 11 years since Hakkinen won his titles in 1998 and 1999 - to the extent the FIA has been reducing the number of driver aids on and in the car. Technically, the cars are more advanced, but are they easier to drive?

"Of course the racing is harder today. And it just gets harder all the time. When I was racing it was incredible how tough it was. At the moment it's harder than ever, especially with all the politics and money now.

"There are more drivers now who have a better understanding of technology and how a car works. And the competition for seats is tougher."

When Hakkinen was battling it out with Schumacher in the late 90s, many of the other drivers at the time complained bitterly about some of the German's tactics in his desire to win races.

Chief among the complaints were his deliberate altercations with Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve.

"We had great, great challenges together and very hard ones as well. I never opened my mouth like some of the other drivers, who said what a horrible driver Michael was.

"I was working differently and couldn't see the point in telling the whole world what he was doing on the track because it wouldn't have changed anything. There were times I didn't agree on what he did on the track, but I wasn't going to tell anybody so they could go and make headlines.

"Anyway, I was no angel myself, but when you're racing at 300km/h you have to show a little bit of common sense and not risk yours or anyone else's life."

Hakkinen keeps a close watch on motor racing as he has a management company that is constantly on the look- out for new up-and-coming talent.

At the moment the man they are all watching is 22-year-old Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, widely regarded as the next best thing since the master himself, Schumacher.

"We have definitely seen that Sebastian Vettel is number one at the moment and he's the hot cookie for now. He's really driving flat out at the moment and not talking much or complaining. His plan is to turn up at a Grand Prix and win it, simple as that.

"We still have to wait and see for a few more racers to see who will be the real contenders for the championship.

"Everybody is still developing and the cars are getting better and being competitive. There are many world champions out there who know how to do it, including Michael Schumacher."

MIKA HAKKINEN

* Years racing - 1991-2001
* Teams - Lotus, McLaren
* Races - 165 (161 starts)
* Champs - Two (1998, 1999)
* Wins - 20
* Podiums - 51
* Pole positions - 26
* Fastest laps - 25