Hakkinen raises game to eye title

(30-Sep-98) - Mika Hakkinen and the McLaren team successfully answered
their critics by halting the flow of the championship going against them.
Michael Schumacher's run of success over the previous three races, in which
he had scored 20 points against Hakkinen's 4, left many believing that that
tide had turned against the Finn irreversibly.

However, a race in which Ferrari and Schumacher were beaten comprehensively
in most areas has left the 30 year old McLaren driver the firm favourite
for the World Championship. At the final race of the season, he only needs
to finish second behind Schumacher to take the title.

The psychological advantage has also swung the way of McLaren and Hakkinen.
Hakkinen's team mate, David Coulthard, said: 'Michael was gutted and his
body language after the race said it all. It was very interesting. When he
talked about finishing second, you feel he had accepted that.'

However, the remarkable turnaround effected by McLaren still leaves
Schumacher with a strong chance of taking the title. If he scores five more
points than the Finn, he will win - for example, if Schumacher wins with
Hakkinen third, or the German is second and Hakkinen no higher than sixth,
a third drivers championship will be Schumacher's.

The constructor's title is simpler still. McLaren need only one more point
in order to win. Ferrari have to score a one-two to even have a chance.

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