haha believe it or not... this morning i heard the news reporting that mclaren has a "ridiculous rumour" saying Mika Hakinnen will be joining the team for next year...!!!      

Pedro de la Rosa has told McLaren that he would support Fernando Alonso's quest for a third successive drivers' title if handed the 2007 race drive.

The last remaining competitive seat on next year's Formula One grid is a contest between the 35-year-old Spanish veteran, who replaced Juan Pablo Montoya at the Woking team this year, and GP2 champion Lewis Hamilton.

De la Rosa told the Spanish newspaper Diario As this week: "I want to help Fernando to win."

He admitted that Briton Hamilton, 21, is probably favourite to land the drive, despite indications from corporate Spain that an all-Spanish line up could further bolster McLaren's finances for 2007.

"Hamilton grew up with McLaren and Ron Dennis over the last ten years," de la Rosa conceded, "so it is a hard fight for me. But anything can still happen."

McLaren will announce its decision before Christmas, with de la Rosa already promised either a race or test role.

The veteran of 72 Grand Prix said the three tests before Christmas will therefore be 'very interesting'.

"I think I would be a good complement to Fernando," Spanish sports daily Marca also quoted Pedro de la Rosa as saying. "We want to be champions. We want to win and I am of the opinion that I can help Fernando."

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

Speculation about a possible return to Formula One for 1998 and 1999 world champion Mika Hakkinen is gaining further momentum this week.

The latest news is his signing of a commercial deal with scotch-whiskey brand Johnnie Walker.

The 38-year-old Finn, who left McLaren in 2001 but is reportedly eyeing the vacant seat alongside Fernando Alonso for next year, has become a 'Responsible Drinking Ambassador' for the Diageo-owned label's sponsorship of the F1 team.

"Mika's close association with McLaren and Mercedes, and his status as a role model for professionalism, precision and control to race fans around the world make him perfect for this job," said Johnnie Walker's global brand director Ben Anderson.

Hakkinen drove for Mercedes-Benz in the DTM category in 2005 and 2006.

D.T.
Source GMM

British rookie Lewis Hamilton will race for one of F1's top teams next year and have a World Champion for a teammate, but he will not become an instant millionaire.

London based newspaper The Times says the 21-year-old McLaren racer, to be one of four Britons on the grid next year, will earn about $675,000 in 2007.

However, while the terms of his contract with the Woking based team are basically unknown, it is expected that Hamilton could add up to $250,000 per race to his income with performance bonuses.

"Hamilton's salary could then rise to about $1.3m and then up to $3.8m in year three. From then, a successful career could net him up to $13.5m a year or more," the newspaper wrote.

Hamilton, 21, explained on Friday that he was told by Ron Dennis that he had secured the coveted drive on September 30 -- before the 2006 formula one season had finished and in the midst of speculation that Pedro de la Rosa or Gary Paffett might get the job.

Another British newspaper, The Guardian, quoted Dennis as saying that he thinks Hamilton is already as good as any driver in F1 with the exception of Fernando Alonso or Kimi Raikkonen.

He said: "I am distinctly unimpressed with the majority of drivers currently involved in Formula One."

Source GMM
CAPSIS International

hmm... im still kinda interested in the next season's mp4-22... wonder how will it look like hoh???

He still needs a lot to prove.
We'll wait and see....March 2007 

Mika is rejoining in a technical role, good to hear. And one thing that for certain is no other team in F1 right now shields their driver from everything, and I mean everything. I just hope Kimi can cope without this protection at Ferrari. Image was everything at Macca and Ferrari expects you to do that yourself.
In other words, Alonso should be well suited for Macca IMO