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From F1TODAY.COM:
According to reports in the German press, Finland's two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen is set to announce his retirement from Formula One after Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Rumours have been rife that the McLaren driver was ready to call it quits after losing his title to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in 2000 and then having a disappointing season this year.
The Bild Zeitung quoted Hakkinen as saying: “After 10 years you're tired and you naturally think about retirement."
The newspaper went on to cite poor recent form and personal reasons as the reason behind the double world championship's apparent loss of heart and desire to leave the sport. The 32-year-old has been racing for McLaren-Mercedes since 1993 but doubts persist about his future amid rumours that he has been offered only a one year contract extension rather than the two years he sought - coupled with a pay rise.
Bild surmises that the team is ready to offer a deal instead to another Finn - 22-year-old Kimi Raikkonen. The paper said Raikkonen, who has scored nine points in his debut season, is to be prised from Sauber, where he has a contract until 2003, for 10 million dollars. It has been reported in the past few days that Raikkonen and McLaren are already in contact negotiations and it is believed that McLaren would like the Finn to sign a five-year deal.
"We will make a declaration at Monza," said Mercedes president, Jurgen Hubbert.
According to reports in the German press, Finland's two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen is set to announce his retirement from Formula One after Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Rumours have been rife that the McLaren driver was ready to call it quits after losing his title to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in 2000 and then having a disappointing season this year.
The Bild Zeitung quoted Hakkinen as saying: “After 10 years you're tired and you naturally think about retirement."
The newspaper went on to cite poor recent form and personal reasons as the reason behind the double world championship's apparent loss of heart and desire to leave the sport. The 32-year-old has been racing for McLaren-Mercedes since 1993 but doubts persist about his future amid rumours that he has been offered only a one year contract extension rather than the two years he sought - coupled with a pay rise.
Bild surmises that the team is ready to offer a deal instead to another Finn - 22-year-old Kimi Raikkonen. The paper said Raikkonen, who has scored nine points in his debut season, is to be prised from Sauber, where he has a contract until 2003, for 10 million dollars. It has been reported in the past few days that Raikkonen and McLaren are already in contact negotiations and it is believed that McLaren would like the Finn to sign a five-year deal.
"We will make a declaration at Monza," said Mercedes president, Jurgen Hubbert.
I heard about this yesterday, it's terrible news. I think that German track must be jinxed or something will all the tragic events over the last few months.
Going on to what someone said below, I also think that Coulthard will be shown up by Raikkonen. DC's best chance at the championship was this year.
I predict a battle between M Schuey and Montoya for the title next year.
Going on to what someone said below, I also think that Coulthard will be shown up by Raikkonen. DC's best chance at the championship was this year.
I predict a battle between M Schuey and Montoya for the title next year.
From Formula1.com:
Former formula1 driver Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured in a horrifying accident at the Lausitzring oval in front of 86,600 spectators. The Italian was leading the race, with 15 laps left to run, when he came into the pits for a quick 'splash and dash' fuel stop.
As he exited the pits it appears that he accelerated too early and lost control of the car, swerving into the path of Alex Tagliani, who was travelling at over 200mph. Zanardi's car virtually disintegrated under the force of the impact, and the entire front nose section was torn away leaving him exposed to further injury as his car was pushed into the wall.
Tagliani was treated before being taken to hospital, and was described as "awake and alert" by officials. Zanardi, however, was immediately airlifted to the specialist trauma unit, Klinicum Berlin-Marzahn.
A statement on the official CART website immediately after the accident read: "Alex Zanardi is in an extremely critical condition with injuries to both lower extremities and a significant loss of blood. He is breathing on his own and responding to direction. He has been airlifted to Klinicum Berlin-Marzahn." It was also reported that he was unconscious immediately after the crash.
Dr. Steve Olvey confirmed last night that the 34-year-old had lost both his legs as a result of the impact, with one leg amputated below the knee and the other above the knee, and that he had minor fractures of the pelvis. His condition was described as "critical but stable."
A statement from his Mo Nunn Racing team, where he is a very good friend to team principal Mo Nunn, said: "We are devastated by the extent of Alex's injuries. But we are so very thankful that he is on his way to surviving such a tremendous impact.
"All of our thoughts and prayers are with Alex and his family. He has quite a battle ahead of him, but knowing what a fighter Alex is, we're confident he'll be able to return home to be with his family and friends very soon."
Zanardi has had two fairly unsuccessful forays into formula1. The first was in 1990 driving for the Jordan team, however a bad accident in 1993 with Lotus put him out of racing for six months and his return to the sport the following year was hit by an apparent loss of motivation and financial difficulties at Lotus.
His return to the sport in 1999 with Williams, after he had won two CART championships, was no more successful and he was dropped by the team after just one year without a championship point to his name. The Italian disappeared from racing last season, but was persuaded back to CART by his good friend and former race engineer Mo Nunn, who had started his own outfit.
It had not been a good year so far for Zanardi, who is one of the most popular and well-known CART drivers, but he appeared to be turning the season around in CART's first visit to Europe, with what looked like a promising victory before the accident. Now it is unlikely he will race again.
It has also been a difficult year for the Lausitzring. Earlier this year ex-formula1 star Michele Alboreto died in testing for the LeMans 24 hours at the track. A blown tyre was blamed for the crash. A steward was then killed a few weeks later in a training session for a German sportscar race.
A spoksperson for the track has described Zanardi's crash as a normal racing incident. "This is a normal race accident," Lausitzring manager Hans-Joerg Fischer said. "We all deeply regret it but I don't think it is right to say that this circuit is placed under a bad sign."
CART racing is due to come to Britain next Saturday with a race at the brand new Rockingham circuit in Northamptonshire.
Former formula1 driver Alex Zanardi has been seriously injured in a horrifying accident at the Lausitzring oval in front of 86,600 spectators. The Italian was leading the race, with 15 laps left to run, when he came into the pits for a quick 'splash and dash' fuel stop.
As he exited the pits it appears that he accelerated too early and lost control of the car, swerving into the path of Alex Tagliani, who was travelling at over 200mph. Zanardi's car virtually disintegrated under the force of the impact, and the entire front nose section was torn away leaving him exposed to further injury as his car was pushed into the wall.
Tagliani was treated before being taken to hospital, and was described as "awake and alert" by officials. Zanardi, however, was immediately airlifted to the specialist trauma unit, Klinicum Berlin-Marzahn.
A statement on the official CART website immediately after the accident read: "Alex Zanardi is in an extremely critical condition with injuries to both lower extremities and a significant loss of blood. He is breathing on his own and responding to direction. He has been airlifted to Klinicum Berlin-Marzahn." It was also reported that he was unconscious immediately after the crash.
Dr. Steve Olvey confirmed last night that the 34-year-old had lost both his legs as a result of the impact, with one leg amputated below the knee and the other above the knee, and that he had minor fractures of the pelvis. His condition was described as "critical but stable."
A statement from his Mo Nunn Racing team, where he is a very good friend to team principal Mo Nunn, said: "We are devastated by the extent of Alex's injuries. But we are so very thankful that he is on his way to surviving such a tremendous impact.
"All of our thoughts and prayers are with Alex and his family. He has quite a battle ahead of him, but knowing what a fighter Alex is, we're confident he'll be able to return home to be with his family and friends very soon."
Zanardi has had two fairly unsuccessful forays into formula1. The first was in 1990 driving for the Jordan team, however a bad accident in 1993 with Lotus put him out of racing for six months and his return to the sport the following year was hit by an apparent loss of motivation and financial difficulties at Lotus.
His return to the sport in 1999 with Williams, after he had won two CART championships, was no more successful and he was dropped by the team after just one year without a championship point to his name. The Italian disappeared from racing last season, but was persuaded back to CART by his good friend and former race engineer Mo Nunn, who had started his own outfit.
It had not been a good year so far for Zanardi, who is one of the most popular and well-known CART drivers, but he appeared to be turning the season around in CART's first visit to Europe, with what looked like a promising victory before the accident. Now it is unlikely he will race again.
It has also been a difficult year for the Lausitzring. Earlier this year ex-formula1 star Michele Alboreto died in testing for the LeMans 24 hours at the track. A blown tyre was blamed for the crash. A steward was then killed a few weeks later in a training session for a German sportscar race.
A spoksperson for the track has described Zanardi's crash as a normal racing incident. "This is a normal race accident," Lausitzring manager Hans-Joerg Fischer said. "We all deeply regret it but I don't think it is right to say that this circuit is placed under a bad sign."
CART racing is due to come to Britain next Saturday with a race at the brand new Rockingham circuit in Northamptonshire.
I'm not going to miss him. I already interested in the head to head battle between Coulthard and Raikkonen. I predict Raikkonen will beat Coulthard.
Hakkinen is not an obviously popular FI driver. He's not extravagant like Irvine, and he doesn't have the appeal that the possible 'rivalry' of the Schumacher brothers does. I wonder how many will actually miss him?
but i was rather fond of hackkinen, maybe he got fed up of being bet by michael schummacher and said " i've had enough of this i'm going home"
I think he has discovered the Value of Life. Ever since his Daughter (or son?) was born he has basically driven more "cautiously". His family commitment is reaffirmed with him taking a year out. I will really be surprised if Hakkinen will returns Formula 1 1. Basically some people have the drive and Determination like Michael Schumacher and others seem content with what they have. In Hackkinen's case he has a gorgeous wife, child, enough money to remain a millionaire for life and has probably forfilled his life's ambition, after all he was World champion.
I've read that today as well.
Raikkonen to take his place.
Raikkonen to take his place.
Hakkinen has confirmed that he is taking a year out of Formula 1. He has not retired. Whether he will after the year, I'm not sure.
It is not actually confirmed though. I think Hakkinen will do one more year.
From F1TODAY.COM:
According to reports in the German press, Finland's two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen is set to announce his retirement from Formula One after Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Rumours have been rife that the McLaren driver was ready to call it quits after losing his title to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in 2000 and then having a disappointing season this year.
The Bild Zeitung quoted Hakkinen as saying: “After 10 years you're tired and you naturally think about retirement."
The newspaper went on to cite poor recent form and personal reasons as the reason behind the double world championship's apparent loss of heart and desire to leave the sport. The 32-year-old has been racing for McLaren-Mercedes since 1993 but doubts persist about his future amid rumours that he has been offered only a one year contract extension rather than the two years he sought - coupled with a pay rise.
Bild surmises that the team is ready to offer a deal instead to another Finn - 22-year-old Kimi Raikkonen. The paper said Raikkonen, who has scored nine points in his debut season, is to be prised from Sauber, where he has a contract until 2003, for 10 million dollars. It has been reported in the past few days that Raikkonen and McLaren are already in contact negotiations and it is believed that McLaren would like the Finn to sign a five-year deal.
"We will make a declaration at Monza," said Mercedes president, Jurgen Hubbert.
According to reports in the German press, Finland's two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen is set to announce his retirement from Formula One after Sunday's Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Rumours have been rife that the McLaren driver was ready to call it quits after losing his title to Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in 2000 and then having a disappointing season this year.
The Bild Zeitung quoted Hakkinen as saying: “After 10 years you're tired and you naturally think about retirement."
The newspaper went on to cite poor recent form and personal reasons as the reason behind the double world championship's apparent loss of heart and desire to leave the sport. The 32-year-old has been racing for McLaren-Mercedes since 1993 but doubts persist about his future amid rumours that he has been offered only a one year contract extension rather than the two years he sought - coupled with a pay rise.
Bild surmises that the team is ready to offer a deal instead to another Finn - 22-year-old Kimi Raikkonen. The paper said Raikkonen, who has scored nine points in his debut season, is to be prised from Sauber, where he has a contract until 2003, for 10 million dollars. It has been reported in the past few days that Raikkonen and McLaren are already in contact negotiations and it is believed that McLaren would like the Finn to sign a five-year deal.
"We will make a declaration at Monza," said Mercedes president, Jurgen Hubbert.