Mika Hakkinen

Born: September 28th, 1968. Helsinki, Finland.

Debut: US '91 (Lotus).

GPs contested: 126.

Career wins: 13.

Career pole positions: 21.

Career Points: 280.

1999: Points: 62. Wins: 4 (Brazil, Spain, Canada, Hungary)

Form: Rtd, 1st, Rtd, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 2nd, Rtd, 3rd, Rtd, 1st, 2nd, Rtd, 5th.

Pole positions: 11 (Australia, Brazil, S. Marino, Monaco, Spain, Britain, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Italy) Retirements: 5 (Australia: throttle. S. Marino: spin. Britain: rear wheel. Germany: tyre failure. Italy: spin).

Despite often temperamental machinery, and tears and occasional tantrums over the antics of team-mate David Coulthard, Hakkinen is unlikely to let Sepang's unfamiliarity faze him. Setting up the McLaren for the high-speed, high downforce circuit will hardly present a problem as the MP4/14 has looked sure-footed and manageable on any surface in the second-half of the season.

However, reliability, so unpredictable earlier this year, could still be a factor and what may yet scupper the Finn's attempt to wrap up a second consecutive championship in Malaysia are the high heat and humidity. Factor in the almost inevitable downpours and, of course, the reappearance of Michael and the pressure that will surely bring and tomorrow could just see another Monza-type mistake from a champion whose grip on the crown has looked tenuous all season.