Hakkinen wins 1999 championship

After seven months and 16 races it came down to the first 10 yards of the last race in Japan.

As Michael Schumacher snagged his start the Finn blistered into a lead he never relinquished to become the seventh man in history to win back-to-back titles.

Eddie Irvine finished a distant third, almost a lap down on Hakkinen, but it was just not enough.

'I knew the start was the key to getting a victory,' Hakkinen said afterwards. 'It's always difficult here because it is downhill but I knew I could do a good one and I was confident.

'When the lights changed I immediately realised I had an advantage over Michael and when we shifted to second gear I already had a car length's lead.

'After that I knew all I had to do was to keep position to be champion.

'It was amazing to win my second title, a different feeling to my first title, the first is the first.

'Actually I was surprised I was able to build up such a gap after qualifying was so close.

'This year was very difficult year, all the way from the start. We had slight problem not finishing races at the start of the year, lost a lot of points.

'Deciding the title at the last GP is nerve wrecking and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

'Last year it was Michael and now Eddie.

'It is easy to smile now but I owe a lot to family and friends who helped me to cope with the pressure and gave me great strength.'

Hakkinen's title rival Eddie Irvine was stuck behind McLaren's David Coulthard for most of the race.

The Scot dropped down into the 1.45s, some three seconds slower than Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher, ensuring the Ulsterman was kept well away from the leader.

Coulthard later went off the track and damaged his nose cone. He was forced to retire, but by the time he had left the action, Irvine was not in a position to influence the championship.

With a second place for Michael Schumacher and third place for Irvine, Ferrari has secured the 1999 Constructors' title.

In his final Formula One appearance, Damon Hill was running 13th, when he went off at the Spoon and had to rejoin the race in 19th position.

He retired from the race on lap 22, and later admitted he could not be bothered to continue.

'Formula One, for me, is a thing of the past,' he said. 'I think I did the right thing retiring.'

For more on the Japanese Grand Prix, and Damon Hill's exit from Formula One, read this week's AUTOSPORT magazine.