Sunday October 17th, 1999

Happiness erupted at the McLaren camp at Sepang as news broke that both Ferrari car have been disqualified, and that Mika Hakkinen is the 1999 World Champion, pending appeal. "It is an FIA decision, but there is a chance Mika could be world champion and that is certainly good news," said Norbert Haug, director of Mercedes Motorsport. Asked if the decision had left a sour taste with the team he added: "It can't do, because it's not our decision. Rules are rules and we did not influence anything on it. Motor racing is like that - we've also had bad races and bad luck."

Hakkinen himself refused to comment as yet, but sources in the McLaren team said, "we'll take it any way it comes. This year has not been easy on us, certainly not on Mika, and to wrap it up with the championship title is, after all, what we're here for."