Verstappen facing 'turning point' after Red Bull 'conflicts' - Hakkinen

Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen believes this F1 season is "a turning point" for Max Verstappen with his burning drive for success being undermined by numerous factors.

Verstappen is in danger of seeing his bid for a fourth consecutive drivers' championship slip through his grasp as his dominant position at the start of the campaign has been eroded, with Red Bull slipping to being only the fourth-fastest team in the Italian Grand Prix.

Hakkinen feels a range of factors have played into the current scenario, sparked by the turmoil at the start of the season with team principal Christian Horner and the investigation surrounding claims of inappropriate behaviour made against him by a female employee.

That resulted in an internal feud between Horner and Verstappen's father Jos, the cracks of which have barely been papered over, whilst design guru Adrian Newey announced his departure in early May after 19 years with the team.

Although it has since been discovered that the RB20 has serious issues, primarily related to balance, Hakkinen would be surprised if Verstappen has not been adversely affected by all that has unfolded over the past seven months.

"Verstappen has been incredible for many years in a row, and of course, already before that, looking at the lower categories before Formula 1," Hakkinen told Unibet International.

"He has incredible talent, works hard, is a disciplined driver, and in Formula 1 [has had] mega success. At the start of the journey with Red Bull, his performance and his commitment to winning felt like more than others.

"I felt he was taking more risks than others because [he was saying], 'I want to win'."

Verstappen 'success journey' could not continue

As to what has occurred this season, the 20-time grand prix winner with McLaren, added: "This year has been a turning point, not necessarily for his performance personally.

"But for success, you need a team, you need a car, and you need personal commitment and discipline to be able to win races. So far, Max has been struggling this year.

"Of course, everything looked pretty good at the start of the year, getting some victories, but in my opinion, it was obvious this journey for success could not continue.

"It could not continue because simply...would I say, politics or conflicts inside the team, help from the team-mate. All these things have not been able to move the team positively forward, and that's influencing Max's performance.

"The driver has to be clear-minded all the time, has to focus on racing, fitness, mental strength, and if the team is having problems...

"Adrian Newey, the great designer leaving from the team, all these things influence Max's performance. It's obvious.

"Now we have seen that the development of the Red Bull is not going forward as rapidly compared to other teams."