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Hakkinen hit by reliability problems

Mika Hakkinen retired for the second race in succession as McLaren continued to be plagued by reliability problem which almost cost him last years title.

"Disappointed doesn't describe how I feel today," he said as he retired from a Sao Paulo race for the fiirst time in six years.

"I was on pole and we have been quick throughout the weekend so I'm far from happy to be leaving Brazil without any points.

"We obviously have some work to do before the start of the European season and I am sure things will improve for us there."

Having led both races he now trails championship leader Michael Schumacher by 20 points.

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug said: "It is our fault. We lost oil pressure in the engine. We are not sure why yet. I have already apologised to the team for this.

"But we win as a team and we lose as a team. Its never good to lose whether it is because of a driver mistake, the engine or the gearbox.

"We may have lost but I am confident we have the pace to win when we do not have problems."

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