Wednesday May 31st, 2000

World champion Mika Hakkinen on Wednesday dismissed suggestions from former champion Niki Lauda that he should quit McLaren to find fresh motivation in Formula One.

Hakkinen said he was entirely happy with his team and that he felt bemused by the Austrian's comments in Germany's Die Welt newspaper on Tuesday.

"Really, honestly, I have got no problems with my motivation and I think McLaren are doing a very good job at the moment," said Hakkinen.

"What Niki Lauda has said, they are his personal views -- but I don't know why he thinks that.

"I am confident with the team and about myself and I don't know why he is talking like this."

Two weeks ago Hakkinen and his team chief Ron Dennis had to convince reporters at the European Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring that he was not considering retirement.

Hakkinen also refused to discuss reports in his native Finland that his wife Erja was expecting their first child.

He added: "The second thing is that we are all here for a Grand Prix and not for anything else. Let's not talk any more about my wife's stomach."