JULY 1, 2000

No rest for Hakkinen as he prepares for French Grand Prix

MIKA HAKKINEN will be working through the night with his engineers to try and get his McLaren-Mercedes car at optimum performance after a disappointing qualifying session for the French Grand Prix.

Hakkinen was not happy with the set-up of his car as he failed to match the pace of team-mate David Coulthard and pole-sitter Michael Schumacher. He eventually snatched fourth position on the grid.

"I have to sit down with my engineers and find out what the problem is and find a solution," said Hakkinen. "I am confident we will find a solution and I am optimistic for the race.

On the one hand I could say that it was a very disappointing session for me, but on the other hand it is better than last year when I qualified 14th."