Hakkinen Accepts Team Orders Policy.

Mika Hakkinen has admitted that he will comply with McLaren's policy of not issuing team orders in the remaining races of the 1999 season.


The Finn looked very unhappy on the Belgian Grand Prix podium, after team-mate David Coulthard had been allowed to win the race following a clash between the pair at the first corner. In the immediate aftermath of the event, Hakkinen went on record as making a veiled denouncement of the decision to allow the Scot to take full points and edge himself back into the title race. According to the reigning champion, his situation was hard enough battling Ferrari rival Eddie Irvine, without the team adding extra opposition from within.


Now, however, a more rational Hakkinen has admitted that he had been at fault in Belgium, and that having two competitive drivers in the same team would actually be the better option as the season draws to a close.


"Maybe I have lost ten points," he told the British Times newspaper, "They could win you a championship, but you could also lose one if everybody in the team is not fully motivated. I don't think it would be very motivating to put them in a situation where one driver has to race for second place.


"Everybody has to be completely motivated, otherwise they are not going to build the best car. it is important that both drivers get an equal chance to win the world championship, even if it is sometimes painful."