Formula One news

Hakkinen denies F1 return

Mika Hakkinen has slam dunked media gossip that he may return to formula one with BMW's new works team next year. The Finn, who retired as a two-time McLaren world champion in 2001 but returned to racing this year in the German DTM series, was linked by Germany's 'Bild' publication to alleged Sauber talks.

Bild said BMW's Mario Theissen would almost certainly pay Jacques Villeneuve up to $4.5 million to cancel his 2006 driver contract.

Williams' Nick Heidfeld is considered favourite for the other seat, and may even have already signed a letter of intent. "There are many options," BMW director Mario Theissen said, "but still no decision."

36-year-old Hakkinen, though, told Autosport that he is not one of those options. "I'm extremely comfortable in the Mercedes family," he remarked. "I don't fully understand where this story comes from," he added. "I know of no contact, but you should ask my manager."

Indeed, Mika Hakkinen's manager, Didier Coton, called the Bild story 'pure speculation.'

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