Formula One: Uncertainty surrounds Hakkinen plans

McLaren Mercedes yesterday played a straight bat to reports that Finnish driver Mika Hakkinen has agreed to stay with the team next season.

The double world champion’s manager, Keke Rosberg, told a newspaper in Finland that contract details had been agreed and Hakkinen was definitely staying with the team.

But a spokesperson for the team would only confirm that they have an option to keep Hakkinen and team-mate David Coulthard for next season and refused to say when a decision over the pair’s future would be made.