Formula One: Hakkinen to quit Formula One

Former double world champion Mika Hakkinen is expected to announce his retirement from Formula One at a press conference in Italy today.

The 32-year-old Finn made his debut in 1981 and won the world title in 1998 and 1999.

However, he has had a miserable year, winning just one of the 14 races so far, and is expected to quit at the end of this season.

Compatriot Kimi Raikkonen is expected to replace him as David Coulthard’s team-mate at McLaren-Mercedes.

Hakkinen’s contract with McLaren bars him from competing for another Formula One team, but he could compete for Mercedes in next year’s sports car series in Germany.