Anger drove Hakkinen to victory

Team mate David Coulthard raced home third behind Michael Schumacher as both McLarens finished on the podium for the first time this season. The race that had four different leaders, but it was Hakkinen who came out on top for the first time since winning the British GP in July.

"I am delighted, this is the highlight of my year," he said. "Winning the British GP is something I have always wanted to do and now it is in my book. Indianapolis was the other one. I am absolutely delighted, particularly because of the morning incidents."

The day had started badly for Hakkinen after he jumped a pitlane red light in the morning warm-up, then hit the barriers after sliding off the circuit.

"First I damaged the race car in the warm-up accident and the mechanics fixed that," explained Hakkinen after the race. "Then the second thing was I went through the red light and I was dropped down to the second row and fourth position.

"I was pissed off. I was really upset. In reality there was no excuse, but you just can't see those lights from where I was. Rules are rules but you have to use common sense. lf you cannot see, you cannot see."

With Hakkinen taking a sabbatical from racing for 2002, the 20th victory of his career was clearly an important one. "After all that frustration to be sitting in the middle and winning the GP, that is incredible," he enthused. "I am pleased - I don't know what to say."

The double world champion is 10 points behind fifth-placed Juan Pablo Montoya in the world championship points standings with a race to go.