Two-time world champion, Mika Hakkinen believes it will be a bad move for McLaren-Honda driver, Fernando Alonso to take a year out of Formula 1.
McLaren CEO, Ron Dennis raised the possibility of Alonso taking a career break in 2016 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last month. Alonso has since said that he will be on the 2016 grid with McLaren at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
Hakkinen believes it would be “very difficult” for Alonso to take a temporary break from F1. Based on his experience when he decided to take a year break in 2001 but never returned to the sport.
“I personally had the possibility to come back after my sabbatical year but then I recognised that’s it, I’m done, I’m happy,” said Hakkinen. “I finished my career winning races and that’s a good way to finish your career.
“In Fernando’s case, I don’t think it’s a very good move. You have to keep fighting. Once you start the game, you have to keep fighting. I think it will be very difficult to go and take a year out.”
