Mika Hakkinen's message for Max Verstappen ahead of title tilt in Japan

Mika Hakkinen has said Max Verstappen will need to raise his concentration levels even higher than normal as he bids to seal the title this weekend in Japan.

The Dutchman can draw level with the Finn on two world titles apiece if he takes the crown at Suzuka this weekend, though even if he doesn’t it’s surely only a matter of time before Max becomes a double world champion in 2022.

Indeed, it’s been a very impressive year for the Red Bull ace but as he edges nearer glory, Hakkinen has suggested that the concentration levels needed will be higher than normal for Verstappen as he tries to get over the line.

Speaking to The Race, the Flying Finn explained:

“For some reason when you are in this position when you know that, ‘I’m pretty sure I will get it, I don’t even need to win a race if I’m top three a couple of times, that’s enough’, you’re losing a little bit of focus, and when you lose a little bit of focus in Formula 1 it’s incredible how the chance is to make mistakes, it’s incredible how much you lose per lap time, every lap, if you lose the focus.

“I’m sure when Max goes to Suzuka he has to raise his concentration level more than normal, because the pressure that we are experiencing, that is a very positive thing,if he can turn that pressure to be positive.”

Verstappen does not seem the sort of person to let complacency creep in and that was rather demonstrated by him venting his frustrations last weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix when his qualifying came to an abrupt end, with Red Bull worried about being able to provide the required fuel sample from his car to the FIA.

He’s clearly laser-focused on getting the job done this weekend, or as soon as possible, and there are few better places to do it than in Suzuka,