Formula One news

Hakkinen praise for old foe

Mika Hakkinen had plenty of praise for his former arch-rival Michael Schumacher. The 1998 and 1999 champion, who beat Schumacher to the spoils in both years reflected on his battles with the Ferrari driver.

"It was fantastic," Hakkinen told Eurosport of his fights with Schumacher. "It wasn't about crashing, not complaining after the race in the press. It was pure racing. That's one of the biggest reasons why there is such a high respect from Michael to me, and vice versa."

"I think of Michael's career in terms of black and white, definitely," he added. "the result is incredible, but there are a lot of mixed feelings from a lot of other drivers about his behaviour on track. But the most important thing is Michael knows himself, inside, when he was racing what he was doing."

On Schumacher's retirement he added, "I'm sure it's going to be a big challenge in his life. It doesn't matter how prepared you are, it's a big change."

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