Hakkinen expects fair duel in Japan

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Reuters

BONN (Oct 18, 1998 - 14:26 EDT) - Mika Hakkinen says he expects a fair
challenge from Michael Schumacher in the decisive Japanese Grand Prix and
is convinced he will win his first Formula One motor racing crown.

"Victory, victory and the world championship," Finn Hakkinen told
German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag when asked what he expected from
the final race at Suzuka on November 1, which will determine which man
takes the title.

"If everything goes normally, I think I will win in Japan," added
the McLaren driver, who leads the standings by four points and needs only
to finish second.

"There's no point in speculating on second place. I will race as if we
were level on points."

The 30-year-old Finn said he did not fear that Ferrari driver Schumacher
might use unfair tactics in his bid for a third world title.

"He has had enough negative experiences in the past," Hakkinen
told Bild am Sonntag. "He cannot and will not let such things happen
again. I don't expect any tricks from him and I am not afraid of him
either."

Hakkinen said all the pressure would be on his German rival.

"I have nothing to lose and will go into this race totally
relaxed," he said. "You can only lose when you've already been
the winner. Michael has already been the world champion twice. So he has a
lot to lose. I haven't."

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