Irvine Unsure about Hakkinen's Return

Eddie Irvine believes McLaren driver Mika Hakkinen's poor performances this season could harm his chances of returning to Formula One after his one-year sabbatical in 2002.

Briton Irvine, who fought with Hakkinen for the 1999 World Championship, believes the fire has gone out of his Finnish rival's driving and fears the move could end Hakkinen's career.

"It may be a good idea for him if it works but I don't know if he will have the chance to come back," said a wary Irvine. "People tend to remember your last season and if he had won the Championship and then wanted a year off then maybe, but after this season I am not sure.

"The car didn't run for sure, but it is always going be that view now and it is not going to be that easy for him to come back like Prost, who left when he was very, very competitive and probably left as a more highly motivated driver than Mika would be now.

"I don't know if he will get the chance to come back but if he has the year holiday and then comes back and goes well then good luck to him."

Hakkinen, who won the World Championship in 1998 and 1999, has won just one race this season and is regularly beaten by teammate David Coulthard.