Hakkinen focused on Suzuka

Mika Hakkinen is determined to regain his world title, despite the outcome of the Ferrari team's appeal in Paris this morning

The Finn thought he had won his second consecutive championship after Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher were disqualified from the Malaysian Grand Prix, but after six days as 1999 champion, he now has to wait until after next weekend's Suzuka race. Hakkinen must score four points more than Irvine to take the crown.

'The events of the last week are now behind us and I am, as always, focusing on the next race,' he said.

'I am looking forward to the Japanese Grand Prix and the I will do my best to win the race and the World Championship.'

Meanwhile, McLaren Managing Director Martin Whitmarsh, the team's main representative at the hearing, criticised the way that the verdict had been reached.

He said: 'This interpretation of the rules would appear to change the way in which cars are checked to ensure compliance with the technical regulations.'