Hakkinen, Schumacher, Irvine ready for new race

Salvatore Zanca

Thursday, Oct. 14, 1999 | 4:41 a.m.

SEPANG, Malaysia - The Malaysian Grand Prix makes its debut in Formula One racing this weekend on a new, state-of-the-art track, amid mounting excitement over Michael Schumacher's return to the circuit.

Mika Hakkinen, the defending champion in the sport, has a chance to capture the title with a victory and a poor result by his major rival, Schumacher's Ferrari teammate, Eddie Irvine.

"I just look at Eddie as the threat now as much as Michael was the threat last year. That's the way I approach it in trying to keep Eddie behind as I did Michael," Hakkinen said Thursday.

Schumacher, the 1994 and 1995 world champion in the series, returns after a three-month absence and a sudden change of mind about racing again this year. He lost the title on the final race of the season last year.

Although he appears to be walking a bit stiffly from a leg fracture at the British Grand Prix on July 11, Schumacher cleared his final hurdle Thursday for racing this weekend when International Automobile Federation doctors declared him fit to drive his Ferrari.

Schumacher still is unsure what will happen over the entire race, especially in trying conditions. However he is not risking anything.

"I am not stupid enough to risk my health in coming here," Schumacher said. "We all judge our limits not to hurt ourselves. You have to start somewhere, whether it is this year or next."

The new Sepang circuit cost more than $80 million to construct and is considered a showplace for Malaysia.

The 3.443-mile track with 15 turns will have its first full test during Friday's free practice.

It also remains to be seen how drivers react to the track in case of a tropical downpour because of monsoon season in Malaysia. The last race, the European Grand Prix in Germany, was greatly affected by showers on and off during the race.

Saturday's qualifying for the 56-lap race on Sunday will be crucial as the pole position could determine the winner with the season title possibly in the balance.

Hakkinen leads Irvine 62-60.

"There are still two races to go," Hakkinen said. "This race can be very easy or very difficult. We will see what will happen. That is the normal way to approach things."

With scoring on a 10-6-4-3-2-1 basis, a win by Hakkinen in his McLaren-Mercedes and no better than a fifth by Irvine and Ferrari gives Hakkinen at least a 10-point margin heading into the last race. In case of a tie, Hakkinen would take the title because of more wins than Irvine during the season.

Although Hakkinen can win the title here, Irvine must wait no matter what he does in Malaysia.

"What happens here is not really important as long as I win the championship in Japan," Irvine said. " I will try to get as many points as I can and hope that I still have a chance in Japan."

Heinz-Harald Frentzen of Jordan and Hakkinen's teammate David Coulthard are 12 and 14 points behind respectively.

Frentzen knows the return of Schumacher is another unknown factor of the race.

"For sure he will play a role in qualifying," Frentzen said.

Barely a week ago, Frentzen thought he wouldn't have to worry about Schumacher anymore this season after Schumacher announced that he would miss the final two races of the season.

Schumacher admitted he made the decision too early and went back to testing on Thursday and Friday and found it confirmed that he wanted to come back.

"My life is racing and not being on a sofa," Schumacher said.