It's never easy seeing your favourite driver struggle to finish a race, let alone start it. It's allthemore hard watching Mika Hakkinen fight bad luck and terrible reliability after being the center of everyone's attention for three years in a row. Paul Ryder, a fan, looks at the past ten rounds of the series - ten rounds of growing frustration, suspicion and inevitable rumours. But it's not the end just yet, he writes

During the early stages of the French Grand Prix, a disappointed and glum Mika Hakkinen stood in the McLaren pits, discussing for the sixth time this year why his car had failed and ended his participation in another race.

"I have to look to the future now and look positive but it seems that things are happening to me more this season," the Finn told reporters shortly after his formation lap retirement. The cause was later found to be an "incorrectly assembled component in the gearbox."

"We are a team and we all make mistakes," McLaren boss Ron Dennis commented, but the human words could not detract from what had been another chapter in a nightmare season for two time World Champion Hakkinen.

After the disappointment of seeing Hakkinen lose out to rival Michael Schumacher for the 2000 World Championship, my hopes during the winter's off season were that McLaren would once again produce a superior car, allowing Hakkinen to once again challenge for the Championship.

During the winter, Mika and his wife Erja had given birth to Hugo, their first born child. Perhaps the most well liked and loved couple in Formula One, the Finnish pair had begun their family. The arrival of a son for Mika had injected new life into him, given him new joy, and perhaps fired him up to do extra well in 2001, to recapture the World Championship crown he had lost the year before. "I am confident about this year's world championship because after a winter break in which I became father, I feel pretty good," he said prior to the Australian Grand Prix.

But early signs of deep rooted problems for McLaren were apparent, and he was not afraid to speak of his fears. McLaren's winter testing program had not gone well at all, with the team suffering an estimated four times as many mechanical failures as Championship rivals Ferrari. Even more worrying for the team was that during the final ten testing days prior to Round One, Australia, McLaren had seen an estimated 13 failures, with Ferrari only suffering an estimated 3. The signs that McLaren possibly had to expect bad reliability early in the season were apparent to everyone to see.

"We have had far too many problems and that doesn't make me optimistic for Melbourne," admitted Hakkinen. "I have complete confidence in McLaren and I know that the car will enable me to fight for the title. Even if I lose points to Ferrari in Melbourne, it won't be a problem."

But the team remained confident, as did I. Ever since their dominant performance during the 1998 season, McLaren has held high expectations. Few people would write them off, and they always appeared to have the brains and the resources to produce strong cars. Their plan was to risk early reliability, but to try to ensure speed, producing a car that would be quicker than Ferrari's. What they didn't expect, however, was Ferrari producing a reliable car, which was also faster than the silver arrows.

The season kicked off in Melbourne, Australia. It was here that the teams would see exactly how well their winter testing had gone, and where their cars stood in relation to their rivals. Qualifying saw Hakkinen only able to manage 3rd place on the grid. For the first time in three years, Hakkinen was unable to place his McLaren on pole position at the first round. Instead, the session had witnessed a dominant performance from Ferrari, with Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello locking out the front row, Schumacher scoring his first pole position on Australian soil. If reliability had been the main concern for McLaren, where was the speed in qualifying that they had been renowned for since 1998?

Unfortunately, the poor performance Hakkinen expected in the race materialised, but in a way that was sure to leave him shaken. While running second to Schumacher, his car suffered a suspension failure, sending him crashing into a barrier at high speed. Walking away from the car, Mika was admitted to the medical centre for checks after a suspected light head injury. Luckily, he was given the all clear shortly after. McLaren, however, indicated that their strategy had been correct, and had Mika not suffered his failure, he would have been in with a good chance of victory.

Any hopes of a quick change of qualifying form in time for the second round at Malaysia were dashed once again by Ferrari. The Italian outfit locked out the front row of the grid again. A surprise third place from Ralf Schumacher in the Williams had pushed Hakkinen back to 4th place on the second row of the grid. Teammate David Coulthard struggled in 8th place.

Hakkinen spoke with frustration, though still cautiously optimistic. "We have a problem, which affects us in the last sector (of the circuit). We know what the problem is, but we just haven't been able to solve it yet. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and finishing my first race of the 2001 season."

A very wet Malaysian Grand Prix saw McLaren lose out to Ferrari in the race. The team had chosen, on safety grounds, to fit their drivers with full wet tyres due to the terrible conditions. Ferrari, on the other hand, had gone for intermediates, a strategy they claimed had been successful in testing, and successful it was. Ferrari scored a 1-2 victory. Hakkinen finished in 6th place, after finding it very difficult to pass in the wet conditions.

Hakkinen was already 19 points adrift of Michael Schumacher as the teams headed to Brazil. Fears began to creep in that McLaren had got the start of the season awfully wrong. Meanwhile, Ferrari were in a dominant position, something not seen from them at the very start of a season for a long time. The only reassurance at this point were memories of the previous year, where Mika had also suffered two disastrous races at the start of the season, but came back to take the Championship battle to the wire. But if Mika was to have a serious impact on this season, he had to start winning, and he always did that best from the front.

The lack of qualifying pace of McLaren was to continue into round three. An eventful qualifying saw Michael and Ralf Schumacher secure their first "all-brother" front row. Hakkinen was the next best driver in 3rd, and remained confident he could produce a return to winning form in the race itself. Sadly, he wouldn't get the chance. A mechanical clutch problem caused Mika to stall on the grid, something he described as one of the scariest experiences of his life. 19 cars had to avoid him as he sat helpless, unable to move his car from the grid upon the red lights going out.

"Obviously I'm very disappointed and I'm not quite sure what happened," Mika later summed up his feelings. "The lights came on and I was getting ready to go but then the clutch behaved so unpredictably and it cut the engine immediately. That was the end of my Brazilian Grand Prix."

Mercedes Boss Norbert Haug offered sympathy. "I feel sorry for Mika," Haug said, adding with reassurance: "but the team will provide him with a better package."

The first three races of the season had turned out disastrously for Mika due to a couple of car-related failures and one badly planned race. Teammate David Coulthard, on the other hand, had gone on to win one of these races in impressive fashion. Mika now stood 25 points adrift of Schumacher.

Imola saw the much needed return to Europe for McLaren. During the first couple of races, the team spoke of being unable to resolve some of their most important issues due to the inability to test in Europe while being on the other side of the world. McLaren referred to San Marino as a crucial turning point that would see some important modifications to the car and a change in fortunes. Mika certainly saw San Marino as the restart of his season. "It is like starting the season all over again, because really I have nothing so far," he said.

Mika was desperate for a win - anywhere, anyhow. A win would be the injection he needed, the jump-start to his challenge. It had to come soon, surely. "I know that if I win, and the ten points it brings, then the situation in the championship is going to be totally different," Hakkinen said, going into San Marino.

Coulthard himself, 19 points ahead of Hakkinen, offered reassuring words. "I think that I've had a fortunate start to the season, the car's been reliable and I've made the most of the situation." In truth, Coulthard had been gifted with the most fortunate reliability period any driver could ask for. His last mechanical failure had occurred an amazing 20 races ago, at Australia 2000. For McLaren, Coulthard had definitey been gifted with the lion's share of luck.

McLaren produced an encouraging qualifying performance to establish the first all-McLaren front row of 2001. For Hakkinen and his fans, the order however was not the one either party had wanted, for Coulthard had managed to snatch pole position from the Finn.

Nevertheless, hopes were high that Hakkinen could benefit from the improvement in qualifying form by the team. But once again the start of the race was to become the crucial roadblock to prevent Mika any success.

Hakkinen had a poor start at Imola, and was left trailing in 4th place at the end of the first lap. He never really recovered from this, finishing in 4th. Coulthard managed 2nd, behind maiden Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher. Rival Michael Schumacher had suffered a rare race mechanical failure.

Hakkinen, although disappointed at his start, was glad to have scored 3 points. In truth, to be glad of 3 points was a sad sign of what Hakkinen's season had become. However, keeping hopes alive, he spoke of how his position now was not too different t that in 2000. Now 25 points adrift, Mika had been 22 points adrift a year earlier at the same point of the season.

Round 5 took place in Spain. Similar to Melbourne, Spain had become known as a successful circuit for McLaren and Hakkinen. For the past 3 years, Hakkinen had scored victories at the Catalunyan circuit, and freely admitted it to being his favourite race on the Grand Prix calendar.

Qualifying went well, and Mika ended it second behind Schumacher. Furthermore, the race had gone perfectly to plan, Hakkinen taking advantage of good strategy and some problems on Schumacher's end, and he was leading comfortably on his way to his first victory of the season. That is, until the very last lap.

The end came completely unexpected. One corner Mika was leading Schumacher, less than a lap from victory. The next, his car was slowing, pulling off to the side of the circuit and then to a complete standstill. The crowd and TV viewers around the world couldn't believe their eyes. The leader of the race had suffered a mechanical failure on the very last lap, merely five corners from the checkered flag. It was a cruel way to lose a race.

Michael was the first to comment on the misfortune of race rival Hakkinen, informing his team that he felt sorry for Mika over the team radio. Schumacher loves to win races, but his victory had been gifted to him.

Mika was still shocked after the race. "I'm super-disappointed - goddamn it, you know - Jesus," he muttered to reporters around him. "I couldn't believe it when it happened, as we were confident with the car. It's difficult to describe how I feel and I don't think the outcome will sink in until later."

"In situations like this it's important to take some comfort in the fact that we had the right strategy and we were very competitive," Ron Dennis said. But for Mika, the facts were far from comforting. Now 32 points behind leader Michael Schumacher, his chances of World Championship victory were looking slimmer and slimmer.

There was something else about Hakkinen's retirement in Spain. Apart from being the third mechanical failure for the Finn in five races, there was also something in the way he handled this grave misfortune - he didn't look at all desolate, as one might expect.

Always the gentleman, Mika was waving to the crowd while hitchhiking back to the pits on the sides of his teammate's McLaren. He entered Parc Ferme smiling, hugging old rival Michael Schumacher. In short, he looked like he was accepting this fate. Had Mika already made the decision that this year would be his swansong? Was he giving up?

The question remained unanswered as the teams moved to Austria, another venue where Mika had performed well at in the past. Victories in 1998 and 2000 created further expectation of a good result this year.

After two encouraging qualifying performances for McLaren, the team were about to hit rock bottom in 60 minutes. Struggling with an apparent change in conditions, both Coulthard and Hakkinen battled with handling issues. To add to the difficulties in controlling the car, Hakkinen had also suffered some form of engine problem on his final qualifying run. He qualified in a lowly 8th place, one position behind Coulthard. Fellow Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen was just one place behind the experienced Hakkinen.

"Sometimes you get it right, and most times we do," Ron Dennis commented after the disastrous performance, "but this was one of the rare cases where we got it wrong." It was, however, hard to recall the last time McLaren had got it right for Mika Hakkinen over an entire Grand Prix weekend.

The nightmare weekend was to continue into Sunday. Hakkinen again stalled on the grid at the start of the race. Stationary and unable to restart, he jumped out of his car and walked away. McLaren's technical launch control system had once again robbed Hakkinen of any chance of improvement.

Hakkinen was not alone in suffering from start line gremlins - Coulthard had also failed to get away at the previous race in Spain due to similar issues. But that didn't change the reality that one of the best starters in Formula One during the 2000 season had failed to get off the line twice in 6 races. Furthermore, Mika's stall marked the 4th race in 6 that he had suffered race-ending car problems. Another race, another zero points scored. To add insult to injury, teammate Coulthard had gone on to grab the win.

"I must admit that I'm extremely disappointed," Hakkinen mused in the pits. "We are still not sure exactly what the problem was - it could be technical or it could be me. We will have to look at all the data but no matter what it means that my chances of winning the Championship are now somewhat reduced."

It was hard to imagine how Mika could come back from a 38-point gap at this stage, but as a fan of Hakkinen, it was hard to admit defeat or lose hope. It hurt inside to imagine Mika racing over half a season knowing he had no chance of victory in this year's World Championship.

Schumacher by now had admitted that Coulthard was now his main rival. The press was full of quotes from McLaren praising Coulthard. Calls for team orders grew stronger.

Going into Monaco, the feeling was that this race was the last chance Hakkinen may have. If he could win there, with David and Michael not finishing, maybe, just maybe there would be a chance of a recovery.

Qualifying saw Erja and Mika arrive at the pitlane slightly late, both smiling as they walked side by side along the pit lane. They looked happy and relaxed; it was a lovely view to witness. But on track, Hakkinen struggled, only managing 3rd on the grid. Coulthard, on the other hand, was on pole - an indication of McLaren's pace. Motivation and success, along with luck and confidence, had given Coulthard that little extra speed, the little extra that Hakkinen would always use to put in that special qualifying lap. Now, it was hard to recall the last time Hakkinen had been able to produce this.

The race brought further misfortune and disappointment, with Hakkinen suffering a serious handling issue that had caused him to fear for his safety. Pulling into the pits, he retired yet again for the third race in a row. It was becoming increasingly harder to watch Hakkinen race, only to suffer cruel luck and misfortune.

He was hurt, and demoralised. "If I think about my hopes for the championship, then it looks like a disaster," he stated gloomily. "I cannot find the words to say how I feel after having one problem after another this season. I just cannot describe my feelings and how disappointed I am."

A bitter blow to Hakkinen would follow the race, when suggestions that the driver simply "gave up" and retired from a race he could well have continued in began to spread around the paddock. The suggestion was insulting - it was simply another indication of how low Hakkinen's season had sunk.

Round 8, Canada. The last time I went to a Grand Prix before flying to Montreal was the British Grand Prix of 1996. Back then, Hakkinen had finished 3rd in a race won by Jacques Villeneuve. How things had changed.

Hakkinen went through an eventful qualifying session at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. During his first quick run, he skipped over the kerbs at the final chicane, causing damage to the front and right underside of his car. Unfortunately, luck was not to be on Hakkinen's side again. The spare car was set up for Coulthard and Mika was unable to improve his time, eventually qualifying in 8th place.

After a steady and problem-free race, Mika was able to finish in 3rd, his first podium of the 2001 season. A visibly happy Hakkinen celebrated what had been a refreshing change, to actually finish a race in the top 3. Rival Michael Schumacher and race winner Ralf Schumacher shared the celebrations with Mika. The "Flying Finn" was back on the podium, and everyone was glad to see him there - none more so than myself. True, the perfect result would have been a victory, but this year even the smallest of results was a victory in itself.

The F1 circus moved to the Nurburgring, the unofficial home Grand Prix of Mercedes. Speculation over McLaren and possible team orders were rife. Would Hakkinen be asked to assist Coulthard, now that his own Championship seemed impossible, or would Hakkinen insist on racing for himself?

For Mika, the issue was clear-cut. "I have to win," the Finn told the press. "That's what I'm paid for and that's what the team expects me to do. That's what I'm trying to do." Hoping to build on the 3rd place he scored at Canada, Mika was aiming for first place. "I enjoy driving at the circuit and am aiming to go one better than last year's second position."

Any realistic hopes for success, however, were dashed before the race had even begun. McLaren had suddenly returned to the poor qualifying performance seen in Austria. Hakkinen was only able to set the 6th fastest time, teammate Coulthard one place ahead, in fifth.

For Mercedes to perform so badly on home soil was painfully embarrassing. Mercedes sporting director Norbert Haug summed up how the entire team felt. "We were too slow and have not achieved the starting positions we would have liked," he said after qualifying. "We now have to focus on the race and see how we can improve for tomorrow." Indeed, that was the most McLaren could do.

However, an uneventful race would see Mika fail to make up any places, finishing in 6th place and picking up a single point. He was now on a total of 9 WC points. More importantly, he was also a huge 59 points adrift from Championship leader Michael Schumacher.

Ron Dennis defended the performance of Hakkinen during the race. "Mika had a massive lock-up into one of the chicanes and flat spotted one of the front tyres and really had a hard job thereafter with the vibrations in the first stint," Dennis told UK broadcaster ITV. "That really cost him a fourth place, not that we are here to come fourth. Mika was not off form at all."

Dennis spoke of his uneasiness at the current situation at McLaren. "A lot of the problems we've experienced in the last three races is because we've been trying too hard," the team chief said earnestly. "We've just got to calm things down and get a couple of results. We don't feel we're the team we've been in the past and we don't feel we are the team we will be in the future."

In truth, McLaren had been suffering one of the most unstable periods in recent years. Technical Director Adrian Newey, the aerodynamic wizard who had been a key factor in their three years of success, had become interested in an offer from rival team Jaguar. Tempted by a change of scene and new opportunities, Newey had all but signed for the team, run by long-time friend Bobby Rahal. At the last minute, Newey changed his mind, instead opting for a more tempting offer to stay at McLaren. The damage, however, had already been done. Shamed by the situation, Newey didn't make the trip to Canada with McLaren, instead staying at home. His possible loss of interest had been another factor in McLaren's growing problems. Would they be able to recover, and how much damage had a wandering Newey done to the team's efforts during the first half of the season?

France played host to the tenth race of the season. McLaren's prime concern was their recent lack of qualifying pace, however both McLaren drivers were surprised by a slight return to their old form - Hakkinen managed 4th on the grid, with Coulthard 3rd. Both drivers went into the race with renewed hope of a successful result.

As the cars sat on the grid, preparing for the formation lap, it was clear that McLaren and Hakkinen had a problem. The team remained huddled around the car until the very last moment, before abandoning the car. Hakkinen found himself unable to begin the formation lap, his car stationary as the entire field streamed past him. The team returned to the car, attempting to start it, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Hakkinen was unable to start a race for the third time this season.

"At the time I didn't know what the problem was, but I couldn't believe it," a subdued Hakkinen told the press. "I just sat there whilst the mechanics were trying to get the car started. Obviously I'm disappointed but things happen - it just seem they are happening to me more this season."

Championship leader Michael Schumacher went on to win, leaving Hakkinen 69 points behind with a possible 70 points remaining. His Championship hopes were truly over. No amount of wishful thinking would change the situation, which, with 7 races still to go, was crystal clear.

I feel selfish sitting here writing, wondering what is the use of Hakkinen racing in any of those 7 races, now that he can't challenge for this year's title. It would suggest I have a short memory, for Hakkinen had not won a single race up until Jerez of 1997. It would be putting down every fan of every driver who does not have the machinery to perform at the front, who watches every race with the deep rooted hope that their driver will succeed, even when the odds are stacked impossibly against them.

But for the past three years, Formula One has been about two drivers - Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher. Two drivers with high respect for each other, who both entered Formula One in the same season, who congratulated each other in victory. We have been robbed of that rivalry this year.

Mika deserves more than what he has been given by his team, his Formula One family. He has given his team nine dedicated years of work, and when he needed it most, his team have failed to deliver. Oh how you should be ashamed McLaren. Poor performance, deep rooted handling issues, combined with repeating mechanical issues have seriously hampered Hakkinen's season. If McLaren are serious about wishing to regain Championship success and retain Hakkinen as a driver in the near future, improvement must come soon.

"Since I joined this team in 1993, and now with West-McLaren-Mercedes, I have been able to continue the effort to win races. But it has taken a long time. Now that it has happened, and looking back over all that time to see what we have achieved, we can be happy about it. Without those hours of hard work by the people in the factory, by the designers and the people in marketing, together with the partners of the team, we would still not have become winners. But the hard work has brought us here to where we are: we have won the Championship." -- Mika Hakkinen, Japan, after winning the 1998 World Championship.