JULY 6, 2000

Hakkinen's agent insists he must be number one

MIKA HAKKINEN's agent Keke Rosberg insists the driver must remain as number one at McLaren or they will lose the world championship.

Rosberg, who won the Formula One world championship with Williams in 1982, believes McLaren must treat Hakkinen as the main title contender, despite team-mate David Coulthard being higher in the points standings.

"If McLaren keep changing their preferences all the time, from David to Mika, then they will never be able to compete against Michael Schumacher," said Rosberg.

The Finn concedes that reigning champion Hakkinen's form must improve to justify his position as number one driver at McLaren, but Rosberg is adamant he can turn his season around.

He added: "It is essential for Mika to start to dominate and he must be the number one driver for McLaren-Mercedes. I believe he can do it. He is not too far away from it now."