Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race Results

'Mind games part of F1' says Mika Häkkinen

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Two-time World Champion and former McLaren driver Mika Häkkinen believes the current mind games between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are quite normal during a F1 season.

The Finn, who enjoyed his own spat of rivalry off and on the track with Michael Schumacher back in the day, said that two drivers closely fighting for the world championship were bound to engage in some psychological one-upmanship to try to gain an advantage.

"There are always these little conversations between the team mates," Hakkinen said, speaking at a Laureus event in Shanghai yesterday.

"If you don't win you're not happy. If you win you're happy. And at the moment Lewis and Nico both have a chance to win. So far Lewis has been winning so I think it's normal that there is this type of psychological game involved but that's part of the game."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.