Australia Crash Still Haunting Hakkinen

Mika Hakkinen has said that his life-threatening accident at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix was a driving force behind his decision to quit the sport for a season next year.

Finn Hakkinen said the high-speed accident he suffered at this year's Australian Grand Prix reminded him of the 1995 shunt and made up his mind to take a year-long sabbatical. He claimed the 2001 accident affected his performance throughout the season.

"The accident in Melbourne this season, when my suspension broke, affected me more than anyone could see from the outside," Hakkinen said.

"You are going flat out at top speed and then you are suddenly completely helpless and crashing into a tyre barrier in a very big way. I crashed so hard my helmet was cracked. I just couldn't understand how something like that was possible after thousands of kilometres of testing.

"I had to go to the medical centre where they examined my head, throat, arms and legs. When they were doing that it all suddenly reminded me of my Adelaide accident. I was in the same country and again a technical problem had caused me to crash. When something like that happens to you again you start the season in a negative way."

Hakkinen, who scored two victories and amassed just 37 points on his way to fifth place in the Drivers' Championship this year, said that the crash in Melbourne left him with little desire to continue racing.

"You try to wipe the accident out of your head and try to give it 100 per cent in the next race but it's still there at the back of your mind," he added. "I sat down and thought to myself 'You've won two Championships, one should never be too greedy'.

"I believe I have made the right decision but it will take time to adjust to my new life and establish whether I enjoy it."