Sauber Unable to Keep Determined Raikkonen

Peter Sauber has revealed that he had no choice but to let Kimi Raikkonen join the McLaren team for the 2002 season after speaking to the young Finnish driver about the deal.

Team boss Sauber said Raikkonen's unquestionable desire and focus to be the youngest ever World Champion left him with no choice but to let him go.

"I was sorry at the beginning because the driver combination we had was very good and the car was also very good," said Sauber.

"Then he got the offer from Ron and Kimi and his management came to me about 10 days before Hockenheim and Kimi told me he had the possibility to drive a good car in 2002 and it was possible with this car that he could be the youngest World Champion in history.

"For Kimi it was an absolute must to go in this direction. My first reaction was absolutely no way. But then after some discussions with him and myself I realised it was not possible to keep him because his focus was so strong."

Raikkonen, 21, has scored nine points this season with Sauber and will replace Mika Hakkinen, who is taking a year's sabbatical away from Formula One to concentrate more on his family life.