Hakkinen back behind the wheel

Hakkinen (centre) quit F1 to be with his family

Double Formula One world champion Mika Hakkinen will make his rallying debut in January.

Hakkinen, 34, will drive a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII in the Lapland Rally between 24 and 25 January.

However, the Finn - F1 champion in 1998 and 1999 - is not planning to make rally driving a full-time occupation.

He said: "It fascinates me the way my compatriots and their colleagues are able to keep their vehicles (on track) despite such difficult road conditions.

"But it's not the start of a second career for me."

Hakkinen confirms retirement

Hakkinen, 34, announced he was quitting F1 in July after winning 20 Grands Prix between 1991 to 2001.

He had taken a sabbatical from the sport to spend more time with his family but eventually decided to quit for good.

At the time, he said: "I've been through so much in my career in F1, particularly in 1995.

"I achieved so much that I thought that it's not worth it any more to push your luck further."

Hakkinen came close to death in a crash at the Australian Grand Prix in 1995, suffering a fractured skull.