Hakkinen signs new Merc deal

Former world champion Mika Hakkinen will continue to compete in Germany’s DTM championship next season after agreeing a new contract with Mercedes.

The Finn, world champion in 1998 and 1999 in a Mercedes-powered McLaren, came out of retirement to race in Europe’s premier touring car series this year and impressed despite tough competition.

He won just his third DTM race, at Spa-Francorchamps, and went on to finish a credible fifth in the championship.

Hakkinen said: “I want to continue winning races next year. In my opinion, the DTM is the best touring car series in the world with close fights for every 10th of a second, which I like a lot.

“As I know from many encounters in the paddock, the fans like it, too. There is no other top racing series offering the spectators such a big return on their money and I’m happy to be part of it again in 2006.”