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Hakkinen: ‘I miss Schumacher’

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Hakkinen: ‘I miss Schumacher’
MD interview Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen

Mika HakkinenTwo-time F1 World Champion (1998 and 1999, aged 54, last weekend, Race of Champions 2023, reviving the racing bug and getting behind the wheel on the ice in Sweden. Like a kid in new shoes, he had fun. And after getting out of the car, he met the MD. He answered my questions, had the same speed as F1 and said goodbye for being late. He had to go eat with his people. The MD sneaked into the VIP area of ​​the truck and approached again after finishing their meal. The claim paid off. The Finn has talked about his F1 season for 2023, Red Bull, Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s current dominance, Fernando his Alonso and his great rival Michael Schumacher on the circuit.

What does attending the 2023 Race of Champions on the ice in Sweden mean to you?

i love it I love being here with great talent and it’s great to be here with the past and history of this sport and pilots of different nationalities. Glad to see them, have a good time inside and outside the race, have dinner together and have fun. That’s the most important part. They are always competing and having an event like the Race of Champions is a great way to have fun together.

And now with electric cars.

That is the present, the life we ​​have now. Everyone is looking for solutions to reduce the environment and their carbon footprint. We want to find the right solutions to do the right thing. Sometimes it needs a radical change, sometimes it’s wrong, sometimes it’s right. But we have to move forward.

Please tell us about F1. Do you think any team can beat Verstappen and Red Bull in 2023?

It is intriguing that the current regulations allow a team that failed last year to improve on this year’s car. When I was in F1, working with aerodynamics experts like Adrian Newey (both at McLaren, Newey was technical director in 1998 and 1999, Hakkinen I won the title), I understood the importance of different details… the aerodynamics of the car. And now the current regulations are giving teams that had a lower success rate in the previous year compared to winners such as Red Bull more time to develop their machines in the wind tunnel. It’s interesting to see. It will be interesting to see how this time difference actually affects different teams and their success.

Who is Mika Hakkinen on the grid for the current drivers?

Phew! I have never talked about this because it is very difficult to say or think which drivers have the same personality as me. I was very lucky. I had a great moment in my career, a lot of testing, a great teammate in Formula 1, a great champion and many others who have allowed me to achieve what I have achieved in his Formula 1. I have had the opportunity to have good people. it’s difficult. Speaking of driving style, we talk about aggressive drivers, but the nationalities and personalities of drivers are different. Therefore, it is impossible for him to compare drivers 100%.

What are your thoughts on Carlos Sainz and his 2023 season with Ferrari?

Ferrari are in a very positive situation with two great drivers like them (Sainz and Leclerc). In my career, I always thought no one was faster than me. It’s very easy. You might think it’s an arrogant way of thinking or overconfident, but it’s normal for a driver and when you have two very fast drivers in your team, he can be a problem. But personally, when I ran, I was always focused on my work and teamwork. And over time, your partner will get tired. It’s a constant struggle, so it’s mentally exhausting. And when I say ‘fight’, I mean you absolutely have to put your feet on the board every time you hit the track. Or… I never raced them. I have always been with Lotus or McLaren. I know what happens in that environment. Of course, it will be interesting for Sainz to see how the two drivers work together, how the teams work together and what kind of performance they get out of it. It will be interesting to see what happens if they start winning and show that Ferrari is one step ahead of the rest (in terms of performance)…very interesting. ! I have never raced for Ferrari and don’t know it. But Ferrari is one of the most competitive teams he is. When I was at McLaren, I’ve already seen situations where his two roosters in the same pen would move sooner or later. Maybe we will see it in the future.

“Sainz and Leclerc? Marathon. Whoever finishes first wins. I don’t think the marathon has started yet.”


Mika Hakkinen

Do you think Sainz and Leclerc are on the same level and Carlos a potential champion?

When you have two great drivers in the same team, it’s very rare that the two top drivers have the same riding style. There are usually some technical differences in driving and how the cars are set up differently, so it’s important to understand. In those situations, understanding your partner can give you a huge advantage in your personal performance as a driver. It’s hard to say who is better, Sainz or Leclerc. This isn’t just his one race or his one season, it’s a marathon, so it’s not fair to speak my mind. The first to reach the end of the marathon is the winner. In that sense, I don’t think this marathon has started yet…

How does it feel to see Fernando Alonso riding at the highest level at 41?

It’s great, really big. It’s great to see Fernando able to keep pushing at this level and it’s really great to see him perform at this level.

“It’s great to see Alonso pushing himself to the max at 41. He’s a great competitor and a real winner.”


Mika Hakkinen

Did you think you would reach this level if you returned to F1? No other great pilot had such a performance when they returned.

Each one has a different character. F1 has developed in the right direction over the years and the quality of life is constantly improving. There is more science and knowledge, and recognizing and leveraging this can advance your career.

What do you like most about Alonso?

(Laughs) First of all, he has a good personality and is a nice guy. And he’s definitely a great fighter! He always goes to the table on his feet. It’s a winner, a real winner! And I think he has a great personality. I’ve seen him find solutions throughout his career by changing teams.A very special character and that’s what he has.

At the Race of Champions, the pilots hoisted a banner with the motto “Keep Fighting” in memory of Michael Schumacher. You were one of his great rivals. do you miss it?

Yes, it’s definitely good to see Mick Schumacher (his son) here and his wife (Corinna) here. Of course we have made a great history in racing over the years and we will miss him, but life is different when you have family. For this reason, I look at the picture from a general perspective and what is missing is what the family (Schumacher) is going through the most difficult part of.

“Michael and I share a great racing history and it’s important to keep fighting.”


Mika Hakkinen

Source: Mundo Deportivo

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The American Dream by Alex Parow

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The American Dream by Alex Parow

2025 Alex Parow It’s almost perfect. You can’t ask for more from a Catalan pilot. It’s a perfect example of how success can go beyond F1. The Sant Antoni de Vilamajor native achieved his third successive IndyCar title and fourth title in five years.

He achieved this with an overwhelming advantage over others. Win 8 of the 17 races that make up the entire calendar. With five wins from the first six races, the season couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. Three others then arrived and he finished the year with five more podiums. In total he scored 711 points, 196 more than second place in the contest, Pato O’Ward.

He was two wins shy of the single-season wins record held by AJ Foyt from the 1964 season, and one of nine achieved by Mario Andretti, another great legend of the competition. However, yesHe became the third driver in history to win the most IndyCar titles. And he trails only Scott Dixon (5th) and AJ Foyt himself (7th). Additionally, he joins Ted Horn, Sébastien Bourdais and Dario Franchitti on the short list of drivers capable of winning a third straight race.

“It’s been round so far and I hope it stays that way and continues to improve. I think it’s getting better every year. After winning my first IndyCar title in 2021, I thought it was already round and complete, but it’s getting better every year, so I couldn’t be happier,” Palou assessed during a visit to the MD editorial office in early December.


500 miles is a bonus

At the end of a dream year, Palou I was able to win the legendary Indianapolis 500.a thorn that had stuck inside him since he came to the United States. Practically on American soil, winning this event is more important than the championship, and that was the only thing Alex lacked, the Catalan having yet to win on the oval. Fortunately, he managed to take it off his wishlist in May this year, giving it his all and reaching a milestone that no other Spaniard can boast of.

He is undoubtedly a real “sheriff” of Indy and a great reference in this field, which has already spread its fame throughout Spain and Europe thanks to the person of Palou who has achieved everything. Now all I have to do is continue to have fun and dream big.

Source: Mundo Deportivo

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All Spanish participants in all categories of Dakar 2026: Conquer the desert

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All Spanish participants in all categories of Dakar 2026: Conquer the desert

among them Dakar 2026 there will be 113 Spanish participantsthen the second country with the most competitors. France (186) Each in a career pursuing their own dreams and adventures.

Cars/Ultimate

– 212: Cristina Grieres / Pablo Moreno, (Dacia), 1 title in Challenger, 2nd year in Queen class, 10th in Dakar

– 225: Carlos Sainz / Lucas Cruz, (Ford), 4 titles, 18th appearance

– 227: Nani Roma / Alex Haro, (Ford), 2 titles (1 motorcycle, 1 car), 28th appearance

– 232: Laia Sanz / Maurizio Gerini (Italy), (EBRO), 16th Dakar (5th by car after 11th by bike). Debuted in queen class T1+.

– 231: Ferran ‘Nandou’ Joubany / Marc Sola (MD), 2nd place in Dakar on motorcycle in 2018

– 233: Isidor Esteve / Chema Villalobos, (Repsol Toyota), 20th place in Dakar (10 cars, 10 motorcycles)

– 244: Jesus Calleja / Edu Blanco, (Santana Racing), 6th place in Dakar with car

– 266: Pedro Peñate / Dani Mesa, (TH-Trax), 9th place in Dakar, competed in motorcycle and three car categories (Ultimate, Challenger, SSV).

– 272: Jordi Torras/Santi Costa, (MD Rally Sports), 3rd place in Dakar, returns at age 65 after 36 years

Other Spanish co-pilots: Armando Monleón (Toby Price, 204 years old), Oriol Mena (Guy Botterill, 218 years old), Rosa Romero (María Gameiro, 248 years old).

Inventory (commercially available cars)

– 502: Oriol Vidal (Rokas Basiuska’s co-pilot, defender)

Bike:

GP Rally:

– 15: Lorenzo Santorino (Sherco), 8th appearance, ranked 6th in 2021, arrives after injury

– 68: Tosha Chalayna (Honda HRC), big favorite, 2nd place in 2025

– 73: Edgar Canet (KTM). One of the great jewels of the present and future. Second participation


Rally 2:

– 78: Arnau Jed (Pedrega Team), debut

– 1995: Juancar Torres (Motoclub Albacete), debut

– 115: Mario Garrido (Pedrega Team), third participation, 2nd place on bike

– 117: Ricardo Lastra (Old Friends Family), debut

– 130 Inigo Zardoya (Joyride Race Service), debut

– 132 Carlos López Veloso (Pedrega Team), debut

– 133 Dominique Cizot (Xraids Experience), second participation

– 138 Juan Carles Guillen (Pedrega Team), debut

Original by MOTUL, “Malle Moto” (unaided):

– 44: Josep Pedro (Rallybikes Pedregà Team), 3rd participation, 1st place with MOTUL original

– 51: Rachid Arral Rahadir (Melilla Ciudad del Deporte), 8th Dakar appearance, 4th place in the original competition

– 99: Javi Vega (Pon Group – Kove), 8th Dakar, MOTUL original and one of the favorites to win

– 119: Fernando Dominguez (Cuenca Regional Council 2026), third participation, first in the original.

– 129: Borja Perez (Melilla Ciudad del Deporte), debut

Javi Vega with his original Dakar runner-up and finisher medals

challenger

317: Oscar Lal/Fernando Acosta (ARG), (Vertical Motorsport), Vehicle: Taurus, 4th participation

– 336: Pau Navarro Ferrer / Jan Rosa (BBR), vehicle: Taurus, 6th participation (2nd place in Challenger). Jean’s speed debut, double classic victory

– 333: Joan Font / Adria Guillem, (Be Racing), 7th participation, co-driver debut

Pau Navarro joins Jan Rosa in his 6th Dakar and his 2nd in Challenger

SSV

– 415: Gerard Fares / Toni Wingat, (Pedrega Team), Vehicle: Can-Am, 19th Dakar (8th SSV), 2nd SSV co-driver in quadruple.

– 422: Carlos Santaolalla / Alan Sor y Juanora (Pedrega Team), two-time Dakar Classic winner, makes his SSV debut. Second participation as co-pilot

423: Domingo Roman/Oscar Bravo (TH-Trucks), Vehicle: Polaris, 4th appearance

– 425: Joao Piferar/Xavi Blanco, (Buggy Masters Team), Vehicle: Can-Am, 2nd participation, 9th time as co-driver

– 431: Jose María Cami / Cristian Cami (Buggy Masters Team), Vehicle: Can-Am, Debut

Gerard Juarez shines in the Pedrega team's SSV with co-driver Toni Wingat

track

– 618: Manuel Bolero / Charlie Gotlib (Belgium) / Adrian López (Dacia Sandriders), fourth appearance as a driver, Adrian’s debut.

– 623: Alberto Herrero / Paulo Oliveira (MOZ) / Mario Rodríguez Sastre (TH-Trax), 14th participation as a driver, 4th participation as Mario

– 626: David Lopez, Dave Ingels (BEL), (SVR) Mechanic, Debut

– 630: Pol Tibau / David Nadal / Daniel Vaz Iglesias (Tibau Team), first appearance as a driver after three co-driver appearances with two debutants.

– 634: Javier Jacoste Oca / Francisco Estelle Fernández / Gerard Rivas, (Buggy Masters Team), second participation

– 637: Jesus Borrero / Emilio Fils / Alberto Fils del Teso (Tibau Team), second participation as driver and co-driver, Alberto’s debut

– 639: Alberto Alonso Romero / Gustavo Ibeaz / Raul Arteaga, (TH-Trax), 6th appearance, Ibeas 2nd, Arteaga debut

– 644: Maria Helena Taruel Tibau / Jacqueline Ricci / Arancia Martí (Tibau Team), debut

– 648: Jordi Esteve / Francesc Pardo / Jordi Puyol (Tibau Team), 11th participation, 2nd place as co-driver and mechanic

– 649: Javier Herrero / Alfonso Herrero / Josep Maria Casas (TH-Trax), debut

dakar classic

classic car

– 702: Juan Morella / Lydia Luba, (Momabikes Raid), Vehicle: Porsche 959 Dakar, Winner

Best car of Dakar Classic 2025: Juan Morera

– 707: Jordi Segura/Enric Segura (Be Racing), Vehicle: Porsche Cayenne

– 712: Rafael Lesmes / Tabatha Romón (TH-Trucks), Vehicle: Toyota HDJ 80, Current Classic Trucks Champion

– 745: Raul Pascual / Marco Antonio Cabrera (Caninos Al Dakar), Vehicle: KZJ95, Debut

– 769: Luis Antonio Pires / Mateu Riera Abellan (LJS Racing Team), vehicle: Mitsubishi Pajero, debut

– 770: Raul Ortiz Correa / Raul Ortiz Navas (Pedrega Team), Vehicle: Toyota Rav4, Debut

– 776: Josep Sole / Sergio Cerezo (TH-Trucks), vehicle: Mitsubishi Montero, debut

– 777: Lorenzo Fluxà / Sergi Fernández, (LJS Racing Team), Vehicle: Toyota KZJ 90

Classic track:

– 900: Albert Casabona, Mechanic of Nuno Miguel Bismarck’s Classic Trucks (POR), (TH-Trucks), Vehicle: Mercedes 2636 A

– 913: Jaime ‘Paris’ Martinez, Nekane Abin, Iker Echevarria (R Team), Vehicle: Mercedes 1936

– 920: Jose Manuel Salinero / Javier Benito (Guardia Civil Rally Raid), car: Mercedes 2644, Salinero competed in 11 editions with the car, the last in 2022

mission 1000 new energy truck

– 1004: Miguel Puertas (Arctic Leopard Galicia Team), Vehicle: Arctic Leopard EXE 880 Rally

– 1005: Esther Merino (Arctic Leopard Galicia Team), Vehicle: Arctic Leopard EXE 880 Rally

– 1006: Francisco Jose Paras (Arctic Leopard Galicia Team), vehicle: Arctic Leopard EXE 880 Rally

– 1040: Jordi Giubanteny / Jose Luis Criado / Xavier Rivas, (KH7-ECOVERGY), Vehicle: MAN TGA

KH-7 ECOVERGY team truck of Jordi Giubanteny, Jose Luis Criado and Xavier Rivas in Dakar

Sainz, Roma etc.

Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz They will try to make more history. In 2024, they became the first to win the Dakar in an electric car (Audi), setting a longevity record for champion Carlos at 61 years old, and both achieving it with four different brands, an unprecedented feat. now carlos I want to get my 5th win at 63 and raise my level.touareg‘With the fifth different brand and renewed Ford Nani Roma and his co-pilot, alex haloThey also admire everything. Nani has played a key role in the development of this car from the beginning. Raptor T1+ EVO more competitive Forgerol He will be aiming for his third title (after four-wheeled and two-wheeled) in his 29th Dakar.

As a member of Dacia’s “Dream Team”, Cristina Gutierrez wants to shine as part of the best team, aiming for a final top five and stage victory. meanwhile, Laia Sanz debuts as EBRO’s official pilot Top class car (4×4 T1+) and Isidor Esteve is committed to a better Toyota Hiluxthe same one that made Moraes world champion a few months ago. Jesus Calleja Cross the dunes as a pilot Santana and Nandu Jubanywhich won a podium in the two-wheel drive 4×2 category) will debut in 2025 and will aim for a class victory.

co-pilot Armand MonleonCurrent world champion Toby Price will be accompanying Toyota on its debut as an official driver. Oriol Mena could shine as Botterill’s co-driver, while Oriol Vidal will aim to win in the new stock category.

Jacopini’s co-driver, Dani Oliveras, was the best Spaniard in motoring, finishing seventh last year, and was hoping to improve further, but his driver suffered a serious accident just before the start of the Dakar, meaning Jacopini will not be on the starting line.

Challenger and SSV

Challenger (lightweight prototype) Pau Navarro aims for his first title in 2025 with a podium finish alongside his talented co-driver Jan Rosait comes from an overwhelming classic. In this category, non-flammable materials are joan font repeat with teamwork Oscar Lal create your own set, vertical motorsporthe hopes to join the ranks of the best and defend his current champion crown. Cabigliaso and Pertegarinihis friends.

In SSV (series derived light vehicle), Gerard Fares he is always among the best players pedrega team Despite facing public authorities with more resources and updated vehicles. The current champion of this class is Dakar Classic, Carlos SantaolallaDomingo Roman, Joan Piferer and Jose Maria Cami They will face the desert. among them dakar classicAfter the title of Santa Olala 2023 Champion in 2024 and 2025, Joan Morella and Lydia Lubaa class in which 11 crew members, together with a Spanish pilot or “copis”, aim to retrieve the scepter in a Porsche 959.

three big men on bikes

Tosha Chalayna from Valencia is a great talent in the Spanish motorcycle world, having crashed several times in the last Dakar but aiming for victory and coming in second place. It will also be uploaded edgar canet After achieving an amazing result of 8th place and victory in his debut race at the age of 19, he started working with KTM. rally 2. Your ceiling is unpredictable. lorenzo santorino He will continue to defend Sherco’s honor as he aims for a top-five finish, albeit hampered by a toe injury.

Of the purest kind, motul originalwithout assistance, Javi Vega and Josep Pedro They are vying for victory in the categories in which they also participate. Rashid Arral Rahadir, fernando Dominguez and debutante Borja Perez. in rally 2highlighting the premiere of Young Gem Arnau Jedalso with debutants Torres, Lastra, Zardoya, Lopez, Guillen.

Looking to the future

in Mission 1,000a class created for prototyping using renewable energy, KH-7 Ecovergy by Jordi Juvanteny, Jose Luís Criado, Xavier RibaIt will be the first hydrogen-electric hybrid truck in history. Francisco Gomez Paras, Esther Merino, Miguel Puertas They are uniting to promote electric bikes with the future goal of this type of vehicle competing with combustion bikes within a few years.

Source: Mundo Deportivo

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Marc Marquez, the phoenix of MotoGP

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Marc Marquez, the phoenix of MotoGP

2025 campaign MotoGP It will be remembered as the greatest story ever told by a living hero. Marc MarquezAfter years of surfing on the crest of a wave, he fell into a bottomless pit after breaking his arm and undergoing re-operation, before taking flight again like a phoenix and completing “La Reconquista” with his arms around the MotoGP Champions Tower, winning his seventh crown in the top category and joining Rossi in second place on the all-time list and ninth overall.

From 2013 to 2019, he won six of the seven possible MotoGP championships, qualifying thoroughly. and In 2020, he hit rock bottom after a racing crash in Jerez. At that time, he made a wrong decision in forcing his comeback, resulting in a fracture in his right arm, which required four surgeries over two years.

After recovering from my last surgery, it was time to break with the past (Honda) and look for a winning bike (Ducati). First he found it (for free) in the previous year’s GP, Gresini Satellite Team, and based on his results and determination, he has already qualified for 2025 with the official Ducati team on a black bike.

And at the age of 32, his gamble to “put everything in the red” earned him 11 wins, 3 seconds and 3 seconds in GP races, adding to his 14 wins and 2 seconds in the sprint race at the 18th Grand Prix in which he competed. With five GPs remaining, he became the MotoGP champion for the seventh time. In the next race, he was thrown by Marco Bezzecchi and broke his right shoulder, so he was unable to break his record.

It was a perfect year for Marc Marquez, with Alex Marquez taking second place. The brothers achieved a 1-2 finish in the MotoGP championship and also became the first athletes to complete six doubles in the race. Marco Bezzecchi finished in the top three in the championship in his first year with Aprilia.


The big losers were the outgoing champions and runners-up. Number 1 Jorge Martin did not survive his first year in Aprilia due to an accident and chain injury. He missed another 14th GP finish in Japan on Sunday. His teammate since 1993, Pecco Bagnaia, was never competitive in GP25, and his ability has diminished.

In addition to Alex Marquez, rookies Fermin Aldeguer and Raul Fernández took home their first MotoGP honors. The Spaniard added 16 of his 22 wins in MotoGP. The 45 points scored in the three categories is the second highest in Spanish history, just two points shy of the 2013 record.

In Moto2 Diogo MoreiraThe Brazilian, who has trained in Spain since the age of 12, won the Moto3 title in a duel with Spaniard Manu González. Jose Antonio Rueda He took the crown thanks to his 10 wins, in which he and Noah Dettweiler were the protagonists of one of the most brutal accidents of the year. The Spanish team finished in the top five in the championship, adding 21 wins out of 22 (they missed the game at Sepang and went to their hometown). In the lower categories, Brian Uriarte had an explosive performance, winning the Junior Grand Prix and the Red Bull Rookies Cup.

Source: Mundo Deportivo

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