Newboys at the front concern for Hakkinen

Mika Hakkinen fears the newboys starting around him could wreck his chances of victory in Belgium with the Finn starting from pole position alongside Jarno Trulli who is on the front row for only the second time in his career

Aug 27, 2000, 8:49 AM

Behind him is 20-year-old rookie Jenson Button starting third - the highest position of his 13-race Grand Prix debut season. If either makes an ambitious charge for the lead the world champion believes he could be caught up in a costly collision.

"The pressure is different and the atmosphere is different when you have different drivers beside you," said Hakkinen. "When drivers are under the pressure of being near the front they can change and make mistakes.

"I knew what Schumacher was going to do but I don't know what these guys are going to do. I hope they stay cool and don't make mistakes and if they do they don't involve me. If they don't make mistakes we should all get around the first corner tomorrow in a very correct way and then have a great race."

When asked if he was aiming to snatch the lead in the rush to the first bend Trulli replied. "Yes, of course. That's my job."