SEPTEMBER 27, 2001

Hakkinen says he will return

MIKA HAKKINEN told reporters at Indianapolis that his intention is to return to F1 in 2003 after a year's sabbatical.

"I'm going to take it easy one year," he said. "I'm going to see what it feels like, and I have all the doors open," he said. "So at this moment, the plan is just take it easy and see what happens. But I think after a few months I could start feeling that way, and want to come back."

Hakkinen admits that he might end up in some sort of coaching role with Kimi Raikkonen.

"We really haven't sat down yet to talk about it," Hakkinen said. "But certainly I

have plenty of experience in the past with the team and Formula 1 in general. So certainly there could be a lot of help that I can give."