Grapevine: Hakkinen Planning to do More Rallying

Two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Hakkinen plans to compete in more rallying events after a successful debut in the Arctic Lapland Rally at the weekend.

Flying Finn Hakkinen, World Champion in 1998 and 1999 with McLaren-Mercedes, came out of retirement to steer a Mitsubishi home 29th overall in the high-speed event. Hakkinen enjoyed his experience and he said he plans to compete in the event again next year - after being bitten by the bug.

"I will almost certainly drive in rallies in the future," Hakkinen said after the two-day event. "I think I will be here again next year."

Hakkinen came home 12th in his class - the non-world rally cars - but was beaten by former Formula One driver and compatriot JJ Lehto, who came home 15th overall. Hakkinen went quicker than another ex-F1 driver Keke Rosberg, who struggled in the forests of northern Finland, and finished 44th in the field.

"I bet many people had put money on whether I would make it to the end," Hakkinen added. "That was our goal and the concentration was on that. I enjoyed myself and it has been really great fun and everything has gone well. We had in mind that I needed experience and I'm pleased with my overall result because I expected to be much further back in the field."

Ford's world rally protege Janne Tuohino won the event after long-time leader Juuso Pykalisto was forced to retire when his Peugeot ran into a reindeer.