Now Hakkinen is driving for his job

Mika Hakkinen will be driving for his McLaren future at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.

A deal has already been struck between David Coulthard and the McLaren-Mercedes team which will give the Scot another crack at the world championship next year.

But official confirmation of the lineup for 2002 has been delayed until the team's top brass is sure it wants to take up the option on Hakkinen and maintain the longest- serving driver partnership in Formula One, which stretches back six years.

It was thought an announcement, expected at the previous race in Germany, was postponed because of Hakkinen's contractual demands. But it now appears that it is the McLaren hierarchy which is keeping its options open as it looks for proof that the former double world champion still has the same desire to be a winner.

Hakkinen, 32, has suffered from McLaren's unreliability this season, failing to finish six times, but there has also been a major question mark over his motivation with two titles under his belt, £20million in the bank and a baby son, Hugo, to dote over.

The Flying Finn, who comfortably won the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in July, has rubbished rumours that he has lost his competitive edge and insisted he wanted to continue, although his body language at several races suggested otherwise.

A source close to McLaren said last night: 'People are just waiting to see what develops before any commitments are made regarding the future.'

There is little doubt a strong performance from Hakkinen here at the Hungaroring, where he won last season, will be influential, not just in keeping the title tantalisingly out of Michael Schumacher's reach, but in securing his own position.