Raikkonen steps in as Hakkinen takes sabbatical

The red Ferrari ran stripped of advertising logos and with a black nose here yesterday as the world of Formula One, in its own insignificant way, contemplated a change of the old order. Drivers and teams also observed a minute's silence in memory of those slaughtered by the hijackers in America, but the show goes on with practice for tomorrow's Italian Grand Prix and the latest round of driver announcements.

McLaren Mercedes confirmed that Mika Hakkinen, world champion in 1998 and 1999, would be replaced by his fellow Finn, Kimi Raikkonen, next season. The 21-year-old driver has been released by Sauber in a deal understood to have cost £5m.

However, Hakkinen maintains he is not retiring but merely taking a sabbatical, as Alain Prost did in 1992. Whether Hakkinen will return and add another championship to his CV remains to be seen.

Hakkinen said: "The intensity of my career has become increasingly difficult for those around me. I asked the team for a break which will be a good way to recharge my batteries and enjoy more time with my wife and son.

"Of course it might have been easier to retire but that isn't a decision I feel ready to take. I know that I will have to work hard to return but I know that I want to return with McLaren Mercedes.''

Raikkonen will have joint No 1 status with David Coulthard at McLaren after only one season in Formula One, although the promotion does not bring with it any guarantees of infallibility, as he was reminded in practice yesterday.

He lost control of his Sauber at 200mph and hit a barrier. He had hurt his neck in a heavy shunt in testing last week but this time escaped unscathed.

Coulthard will be regarded as the senior partner after spending six years in the shadow of McLaren's 'favoured son' but the 30-year-old Scotsman contends no-one – he, least of all – should underestimate Raikkonen.

"Maybe Kimi's lacking experience in terms of miles but he had lots of experience in karting and he's quick,'' Coulthard said. "I already take my share of responsibility, helping develop the car and push the team forward. I can't do more than I do. But I can still improve. You learn from hindsight and experience. Kimi doesn't make me feel old.''

The odd man out in the McLaren equation is the Austrian, Alexander Würz, who joined the team as test driver in the hope of earning a place in the race line-up. He remains the third driver.

Ironically, Hakkinen was the pick of the McLaren squad yesterday, completing the session in sixth place. Coulthard was seventh and Raikkonen 16th. The pacesetters, predictably on this high-speed circuit, were Williams BMW. Ralf Schumacher was quickest, followed by his team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya. Michael Schumacher, in one of the uniquely liveried Ferraris, was best of the rest.

Jean Todt, Ferrari's sporting director, said of his team's gesture: "Life goes on and we all focused on business but we feel bad and sad about what has happened in the US. We felt we had to do something different.''

Drivers and teams are still uneasy about the prospect of going ahead with the US Grand Prix, on 30 September, and Ron Dennis, team principal of McLaren, pointed out the 'logistical problems' of freighting cars and equipment to Indianapolis in time for the race.

Dennis has pledged 'several hundred thousand pounds' to a charity that will support children orphaned by the atrocities and Daimler-Chrysler, parent company of Mercedes, are to donate $10m (£7m).