Coulthard resolute as Hakkinen retires

Mika Hakkinen bade his farewell by video, riding off into a Finnish sunset, as David Coulthard was finally handed the responsibility of leading McLaren-Mercedes' resurgence.

Hakkinen, twice world champion, admitted he no longer had the desire to go racing at the risk of life and limb. The sabbatical he took this year had convinced him his only commitment now was to his wife and son.

"It is time to stop," the 34-year-old Hakkinen said. "I don't want to hurt myself. I've been through so much, especially my accident in 1995, and I've achieved so much, and did not want to push my luck."

Coulthard looked on, his place alongside the younger Finn, Kimi Raikkonen confirmed for next season. It will be the Scotsman's eighth at the team and will earn him an estimated £8million but more importantly, he maintains, it will demonstrate his ability and appetite to fill the void left by Hakkinen. "I am happy for Mika if he is happy to retire," said Coulthard after the first practice session for tomorrow's German Grand Prix here. "I'm aware of the risks but I'm not ready to eliminate those risks from my life and live another life unfulfilled.

"I'm disappointed I never got the opportunity to race it out with Mika and he definitely had the upper hand when we were together. But I have no doubts in my mind that I can deliver what he delivered, given the equipment. I believe this is the deal to get me the world Championship.

"I had approaches from other teams but they were less competitive than McLaren so why should I move? This year is the least competitive we have been since 1997 yet along with Williams we are probably the only teams capable of taking on and eventually beating Ferrari.

"You can move and have a short honeymoon period, and then what? I believe this is the best place for me to be and I have all the advantages of continuity, knowing the car and the team. Above all, we are hungry for success.''

That hunger is shared by Raikkonen, who but for his untimely slide at last week's French Grand Prix would have had his maiden Formula One victory. The 22-year-old edged Coulthard out of third place in practice yesterday and has his partner's respect.

Ron Dennis, the McLaren team principal, expressed his faith in the combination of youth, experience and unquenched thirst. The Austrian Alexander Wurz continues as the team's third/test driver.

"People used to talk about changing drivers as like changing light bulbs. You take one out and put another in. It's not like that now. That's why we go for continuity.

"We have three talented, committed and disciplined drivers. It's a question of staying fit and away from the things that aren't good for you. Our drivers are prepared to make that commitment.

"Mika chose his way of saying goodbye. We don't live in the past, but we reflect on it."

Coulthard and Raikkonen have scant time for reflection. Their team is still no match for Ferrari but they out-performed Williams-BMW last week and are intent on maintaining their progress.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, now champion for a fifth time, gave his public what they demanded, the fastest time in the first practice session at the redesigned Hockenheim circuit. Rubens Barrichello, in the other Ferrari, was second but McLaren managed to keep the red cars within sight and the expected hotter conditions for tomorrow's race may suit the chasing teams' Michelin tyres.

Schumacher who contributed his thoughts to the revised lay-out of the track, said: "I like the new circuit and in my opinion it is a great success, it flows nicely and there are some overtaking opportunities. I had a good day. As usual at Hockenheim, I got a warm reception from the fans.''

Ralf Schumacher, in a Williams, was fifth, and his team mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, on pole for the last five races, was only seventh. They were split by Eddie Irvine, in the improving Jaguar. Allan McNish was an encouraging ninth for Toyota, while Jenson Button was a lowly 19th in the struggling Renault.

Button's move to BAR Honda has already been announced and he can, in the opinion of Montoya brace himself for a few mind games with his new team-mate, the former champion, Jacques Villeneuve.

Montoya, who replaced Button at Williams, said: "Jenson isn't the strongest in the head so Jacques will have the upper hand. When everything is going their way these younger guys are great but when something goes wrong they spiral out of control. Jenson is going to do that.

"Jenson will be quicker than Jacques at every test at the start of next season but when they go to the first race Jacques will out-qualify him by a second and Jenson is going to wonder where that came from."