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Wednesday, October 28, 1998 Published at 16:06 GMT

Hill tips 'macho' Mika

Schumacher: Four point gap


Mika Hakkinen describes the stresses of looking forward to a big race

Damon Hill reckons his old rival Michael Schumacher will miss out on Sunday in his all-or-nothing battle with Mika Hakkinen at Suzuka.

With only the Japanese Grand Prix left Hakkinen leads Schumacher by four points in the Formula 1 World Championship.

[ image: Hill: 1996 champion]
Hill: 1996 champion
Hill clinched his 1996 title at Suzuka and now believes it is now the Finn's turn.

"It is going to be a tall order for Michael to beat Mika and they both know it," said Hill.

"Michael could not have picked a worse circuit than Suzuka because it is a track Mika loves which is why my money is on him to end the year as champion.

'Big boys' circuit'

"Suzuka appeals to Hakkinen's macho streak because it is a 'big boys' circuit and he is rarely short of commitment or courage."

[ image: Hakkinen:
Hakkinen: "Macho streak"
Hill himself says he is raring to get going again after a near five-week lay-off since the last race in Germany.

"It is a sense of relief," he added. "I love racing and cannot wait to get out on to the track and fight for more points.

"Jordan have finished fifth in the championship in the last few years, but if we could get third it would be a real boost to the team and set us up for next year."