Hakkinen tips Hamilton for title

Ex-Formula One world champion Mika Hakkinen is convinced Lewis Hamilton will win the title for his old team McLaren this year.

Hakkinen won the drivers championship in 1998 and 1999, but McLaren have not claimed the title since.

He has struck up a rapport with Hamilton recently as they have worked together on promotional campaigns.

He said: "When I was a young guy at McLaren I was flat out, always at the maximum.

"Sometimes the excitement took over my thinking and there were times when I went over the top, I made mistakes. It took time for me to stabilise myself and calm down a little, and then I got the results. That is now the situation with Lewis. He has calmed down and is stable, more mature.

"There is still a way to go this year and a lot of things can still happen, and yes it is a long time since I won McLaren's last title, but I am hopeful this year they can do it."

Hakkinen also believes his fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen forms an ideal partnership with Hamilton.

Hakkinen added: "What Ron Dennis and Norbert Haug have done is brought together two fantastically talented young drivers. They are fast, they motivate the whole team, and they are getting better, stronger, more solid, more stable - they deliver the whole package.

"I can see right now McLaren Mercedes is a solid team, positive in terms of spirit both behind the scenes and on the track.

"I can sense that just by being around the teams these days."

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