Grapevine: Hakkinen Expected to Announce Retirement

Finn Mika Hakkinen will confirm his retirement from Formula One during this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, the ATS news agency claimed on Thursday.

Hakkinen, who has 20 Grand Prix victories and two world titles to his name, took a one-year sabbatical from the sport this year as he was replaced at McLaren by compatriot Kimi Raikkonen.

McLaren are expected to announce their driver line-up for 2003 at engine partner Mercedes-Benz's home race at Hockenheim with ATS claiming that Hakkinen's retirement will be made permanent.

ATS reported that Hakkinen's spell out of Formula One "is extremely likely to be prolonged" and said that he "will not make his comeback next season."

If Hakkinen does announce his retirement Briton David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen will remain in an unchanged line-up at McLaren.

Test driver Austrian Alexander Wurz has been offered a three-year deal to remain in the role with the Woking-based team, but is also mulling over offers from two teams to return to Grand Prix racing.