Exclusive: Hakkinen Promises to Clinch Back WC

In an exclusive interview, to be published fully tomorrow on Atlas F1, Finland's Mika Hakkinen says Michael Schumacher will have to settle for second best next season, and that his determination to regain the Championship next year will be greater than ever.

"I am sure of it, now that things are more relaxed," Hakkinen told Timothy Collings at the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Germany. "I will start to feel intense and angry again - because I want to win a third championship next year. It is a strong feeling in me."

In the Interview, Hakkinen talks of his rivalry with Schumacher, his poor start to the season, how he had turnd around in form and why, and of his relationship with teammate David Coulthard and the rest of the McLaren-Mercedes team.

Content to withdraw from the public eye for the winter, Hakkinen said the impending birth of his first child was likely to influence his preparations for 2001. His wife Erja is due to deliver just after Christmas.

"I hope the baby is a little early as it would be great for the family to have a baby around Christmas," he smiles. "Then, when the celebrations are over, I can get back to work and concentrate on winning back my title."

The Full interview will appear tomorrow, on the Atlas F1 weekly issue.