Hakkinen expecting no favours

McLaren cleared the Finn's schedule of press and sponsors commitments for the last fortnight so he could relax ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix while Eddie Irvine has been on a whirlwind tour of the Far East taking in Macau, Hong Kong, Tokyo and finally Suzuka.

'Through all three days you have to live with the moment as it happens,' said Hakkinen.

'You have to be ready for new things and you can't rely on past experience.'

Despite a season filled with as much mishap and misfortune as triumph Hakkinen says his belief is unshaken.

'I feel confident with myself and with the team.

'I am keeping my feet on the ground and will do the best I can to try to win this race.

'It has been difficult for the last two weeks, very difficult, very difficult.'

The Finn has been made bookies favourite despite trailing Irvine by four points.

But he says he had never accepted he was world champion after Ferrari was initially disqualified from the Malaysian Grand Prix.

'I never thought I was world champion because the final decision had not been made yet,' he added.

Hakkinen has started 11 of 15 races this year from pole and won four times.