MIKA MISSES F1 FIX

2002-05-23 12:09:00

Mika Hakkinen has admitted that he misses the buzz of racing
in Formula 1.

The double world champion is currently taking a year-long sabbatical from the sport. But at a press conference in Monaco, the first race he has attended this season, the Finn said he’d had withdrawal symptoms.

He admitted "I miss not winning, the racing definitely, good friends and working with the team."

But Hakkinen said he had still not decided on his future.

He said: "I'm not stressed. I have a few weeks left before I need to make a decision about that and I am not putting any pressure on myself thinking about it.

"I cannot put into percentages the likelihood of driving again.

"For the moment I have just enjoyed spending time seeing friends, spending time in different places. I've just been on my boat for a couple of weeks. Wherever I go I have a good time.

"It's good not to be worrying about my fitness and looking at the calendar all the time. And I'm not having to run three times a week."

When Hakkinen was asked whether McLaren would have him back, he replied: "Yes, why not?"

Hakkinen added that he had enjoyed watching the sport from the sidelines after 11 seasons in the thick of the action.

He said: "When I watch grands prix on TV, my hands are sweating, it's still fantastically exciting to watch grands prix. It's super exciting to see races.

"And I quite often think of myself in situations. Every race!"

He said of the 2002 season: "It started quite excitingly but then Ferrari started dominating. They're very strong and it's taken some of the excitement out of Formula 1.

"But that's motor racing. We had a time when we were winning all the time."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis said he had not been in regular contact with Hakkinen during his driver's year off.

He explained: "What Mika wanted was a complete break and he is effectively on holiday. He is not in touch via dialogue with the factory every two weeks or anything like that."