Formula 1
Hakkinen denies retirement rumors
In an interview with the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, Mika Hakkinen firmly denied the rumors of his retirement at the end of the 2000 Formula One season. A Team McLaren spokesperson had previously denied the reports as well. The reports of ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
In an interview with the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, Mika Hakkinen firmly denied the rumors of his retirement at the end of the 2000 Formula One season. A Team McLaren spokesperson had previously denied the reports as well.
The reports of his retirement were first made by the UK-based Motoring News, and have since spread like wildfire through other publications as well as the Internet.
"Under no circumstances will I retire after this season," said Hakkinen. The two-time champion said he was surprised by the rumors, and has been wondering whether these were started intentionally. "You have to think about the reasons why someone would spread rumors about my retirement."
As it is, Hakkinen's contract does not even allow him to retire before the 2001 season, whereas his teammate's, David Coulthard's, contract ends after this year. As a result of this long-term contract, Hakkinen will still be a McLaren pilot in 2001, contrary to the reports.
However, his teammate's identity has yet to be confirmed -- will Coulthard's contract be extended, or will Ron Dennis, the McLaren managing director, opt for someone else? Jacques Villeneuve's name keeps coming up in connection with a McLaren drive, but Ron Dennis is known for keeping his cards close to his chest.
Hakkinen says he expects to drive for several more years yet. "I still love racing as much as I did as a little boy. Maybe some people will think I'm strange, but I really think racing is fun."
That said, Hakkinen really doesn't see himself driving any more in five years' time. "In five years I would have driven in over 200 GPs, and I don't believe either Hakkinen or Michael Schumacher will be on the F1 circuit at that time," he said.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article European GP Sauber preview
Next article European GP Friday combined practice
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Mika Hakkinen
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Mika Hakkinen reveals why McLaren rivalry with David Coulthard never boiled over
Formula 1
Formula 1
Dutch GP
Mika Hakkinen reveals why McLaren rivalry with David Coulthard never boiled over
Mika Hakkinen urges McLaren not to "rock the boat" with Max Verstappen move
Formula 1
Formula 1
Mika Hakkinen urges McLaren not to "rock the boat" with Max Verstappen move
More from
McLaren
Oscar Piastri splits from Mark Webber management
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
3 h
Oscar Piastri splits from Mark Webber management
McLaren’s 2027-spec front wing is making its F1 car more predictable
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
McLaren’s 2027-spec front wing is making its F1 car more predictable
Latest news
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
31 min
How the Racing Bulls pendulum is swinging back towards undeniable Liam Lawson
How Max Verstappen beat Red Bull's own simulation tools with P2 in Brazil
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
52 min
How Max Verstappen beat Red Bull's own simulation tools with P2 in Brazil
Who slept best last night: Toto Wolff
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Who slept best last night: Toto Wolff
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe