
Hakkinen: Only 'something supernatural' can beat Verstappen
Hakkinen: Only 'something supernatural' can beat Verstappen

Max Verstappen will go into the 2023 F1 season as a hot favourite to claim a third consecutive drivers' title, and one former world champ believes no human can stop him completing the hat-trick.
The flying Dutchman claimed his first title in controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi in late 2021, but he was utterly dominant in 2022 as he notched a record 15 race wins.
Now, with the Red Bull RB19 thought to be even better than its predecessor, there are few betting against Verstappen ruling again.
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Former two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen believes only 'something supernatural' can beat the 25-year-old as he looks to cement his claims to be an all-time great.
Mike Hakkinen on Max Verstappen 2023 title bid
Speaking in his Unibet season preview, Hakkinen said: "It takes something almost supernatural to beat Max.
"He's worked hard to become the driver he is today. Is there currently someone faster on track than him? I doubt it, I don't think there is. The championships have reinforced his self-confidence.
"He knows better how to prepare for the season. He's still young, the team knows what he can do, the team believes in him 100 percent. Max is in really good form, his talent will further develop. It won't go backwards, it develops."
While in Verstappen Red Bull possesses an incredible driving talent, Hakkinen says the whole package is bolstered by the strength of the team, its financial clout and the genius that is technical guru Adrian Newey.

"They have an incredibly powerful system and team behind them. Financially the foundation is very strong, money is not an issue for them. Even though the budget cap is in place - if money is needed immediately for development - or for some special technology, Red Bull has it.
"And once again I can't help mentioning Adrian Newey. He helps Red Bull build the aerodynamics. The team is just so strong.
"Winning a couple more championships naturally brings more confidence, that's obvious."
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F1 Standings

Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
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Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
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Grand Prix of Australia 2023
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Grand Prix of China 2023
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Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
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Miami Grand Prix 2023
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Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
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Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
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AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
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Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
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Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
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Grand Prix of Italy 2023
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Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
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Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
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Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
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Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
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Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
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