Hakkinen tells Hamilton to stay cool

During a visit to Colombia as ambassador for responsible drinking for Johnnie Walker, Hakkinen told autosport.com that even if Hamilton is ahead in the points, it is still to close to call on who will be champion, as anything could end up deciding this year's title.

"It's very exciting, very exciting now with two races to go," Hakkinen said. "It's a combination of everything, you know. Is it going to be a mechanical failure, or driver mistake, or regulations are a bit flexible, or you now, anything can happen.

"Lewis is definitely ahead, and if he can keep his head cool he should be able to win the championship fine.

"But Felipe, he's there, he's knocking the door. He's all the time there and again, Kubica is coming and he's getting closer to the top points all the time. You never know what's going to happen, so let's wait and see."

Hakkinen also offered his views on how the current worldwide financial turn-down could have an impact in Formula One, amid recent calls for cost-cutting measures from FIA president Max Mosley.

He believes the sport will definitely take a hit, but expects the right people to make smart decisions to keep it healthy.

"I think the financial crisis has impacted everything," said Hakkinen. "Formula One is obviously an entertainment business. It is a very expensive operation. Formula One keeps about something like 2500 people travelling around the world all the time.

"What I'm trying to says is yes, I think it will be influenced, one way or another but it will be influenced by the financial crisis. And if you try to ask me what to do I think you can have lots of different ideas or options but whatever you do, has influence of something.

"It's never so straightforward like 'Ok let's do this and then the costs go down'. It's a very complicated thing which needs lots of thinking from intellectual people who can calculate that it won't hurt the show business, it won't hurt the teams, and that still Formula One is the leading category."

The 40-year-old Finn has been visiting a number of countries in Latin America during the past few weeks, promoting Johnnie Walker's campaign. He is expected to be in attendance at Interlagos for the season-finale in Brazil.