Mika Hakkinen has denied a report he is planning to retire at the end of the season and said that he was in talks with the McClaren team about a new contract for the 2002 season.
"No chance - there is no way I am quitting," the former world champion told Die Weltnewspaper in an interview published today.
Hakkinen said he had no idea where the rumours came from. This season has been a huge disappointment for the Finn who won the world championship for McLaren in 1998 and 1999.
"No one asked me - that's something one should have done," he said, referring to a report in Germany's Auto Bildnewspaper claiming he would retire.