Mika Hakkinen makes prediction over Kimi Raikkonen, Valtteri Bottas battle. Kimi currently sits in third place and he holds a nine-point advantage over his countryman.

Scuderia Ferrari Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas could receive help from their team-mates as they each seek to secure third place in the F1 standings. That is according to two-time champion Mika Hakkinen, who admits both drivers will be eager to do the business off their own backs.

Kimi Raikkonen currently sits in third place and he holds a nine-point advantage over countryman Bottas going into the final two races of the season. With Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel assured of second, Maurizio Arrivabene could instruct the German to help Kimi Raikkonen, while Mercedes will likewise be keen for Bottas to take third place though, and Toto Wolff might tell Lewis Hamilton to aid him.

Hakkinen has now predicted teamwork may be on the cards in Brazil and Abu Dhabi as Raikkonen and Bottas seek to end the F1 season on a high: “With the Drivers’ title settled, two battles remain; the duel for third place between Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri, plus the fight for the World Championship for Constructors, which Mercedes currently leads by a healthy 55 points,” Hakkinen told Unibet – “In all likelihood, Mercedes will win the Constructors title, simply because they enjoy such a commanding lead with only two races remaining, so the real interest lies in the battle of the Finns. There is only nine points separating Valtteri from Kimi, however, and it will be fascinating to see how they, as well as their team-mates and team management, approach Brazil and Abu Dhabi. Both of them have supported their team-mate during this season, and since there is no longer any strategic advantage to supporting Lewis and Sebastian, the fight for third place means that some favours may have to repaid.” – he continued.

“Will we see Lewis help Valtteri or Sebastian help Kimi? There is no way of knowing until we see something develop in one of these final two races. The easiest solution for Kimi and Valtteri is to show the world that they can win for themselves, and don’t need any favours, now that they no longer have to be a ‘wing man’. Kimi’s success at the US Grand Prix means that he has had the motivational benefit of taking a win this year, while for Valtteri it has been a tough season best illustrated by the puncture which robbed him of certain victory in Azerbaijan. Their personal battle, after a season of playing the perfect team-mates, will give an extra edge to the end of the season as we wait to find out which Finn will take third. There’s plenty left to fight for.” – Mika Hakkinen concluded.

Kimi Raikkonen last secured a podium finish at the end of the season in 2012, when he finished third while driving for Lotus. Valtteri Bottas, meanwhile, was third last year at the end of his first campaign with Mercedes. Both drivers will be looking to lay down a marker for the weekend ahead when practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix starts on Friday.