Hakkinen plays down Schumacher threat

The Finn says he will not be put off by the return of his old rival, missing since breaking his right leg at the British Grand Prix in July.

'Michael coming back doesn't change much,' said Hakkinen.

'Eddie is still my focus.

'I still have to score more points than Eddie. He is the threat just as Michael was last year and I just have to have the same approach as I would if it was Michael.

'I am not even thinking about winning the championship this weekend. All I am thinking is about keeping Eddie behind me. That is the main thing.

'If everything weren't fantastically and I won here it would be great.

'My main focus is on this race and not what happens in Suzuka.

'There are still two races left and I've got to keep the advantage in the championship. It doesn't matter if it is just one point, as long it is more than Eddie has.'

The Finn, who has been relaxing out of the limelight for the last four days, admitted the cruise towards the world title, which has turned into a gruesome, error-strewn struggle, has proved more demanding than last year.

'It has been harder because everything was new and exciting then. Mentally it is more difficult than last.

'This year I know what it takes and its really, really tough - but it's also going to be interesting.

'The number of problems I have had has made it more interesting.

'If I had lost last year it would have been tougher than if I lose it this year but I am not even think about that.

'I have thrown points away this year, made mistakes, so have other drivers. That's life, that's motor racing.'

The Finn heads into the last two rounds - here in Sepang on Sunday and a fortnight later in Japan - nursing a narrow two point lead over Irvine, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen 12 points behind and David Coulthard 14 down.

'I am the favourite and if I win everyone will say was what was expected but if I lose we will get the blame,' said Hakkinen.

'I feel like I have been in a difficult situation in every Grand Prix.

'I've got to be careful because it is easy to lose all the points with one small mistake.

'It is the same for everyone if it rains but then if you are fighting for the championship you have more to lose.'