Heroic Hakkinen to shun birth.

He may be mighty on the track, but Mika Hakkinen is not feeling particularly brave about witnessing the birth of his first child.

The Finn, whose courageous overtaking manoeuvre on Michael Schumacher at Spa kept the world championship battle going into the closing stages of the season, has admitted that he will probably not be present in the delivery room, although he will be at the hospital with wife Erja.

"I will escort Erja to the door of the labour room - but I will not go further," a sheepish Hakkinen confirmed.

Erja Hakkinen has been a constant companion to her husband throughout his championship defences, but speculation that the couple were expecting a baby is thought to have detracted from Mika's performances in the middle of the 2000 campaign. Once the rumours had been confirmed, however, the Finn came roaring back into contention for a third crown, only to lose out to arch rival Schumacher at Suzuka three weeks ago.