Qualifying????

[neutral]

I have just finished watching qualifying, and although it doesnt seem strange that MS got pole, I cant understand what has happened to Mika Hakkinen. He is now in my mind, a slower driver than DC. Why this has happened i can only specualate. Some of the reasons behind this could be

1) he has lost complete motivation
2) he has lost confidence in himself after seeing DC continuously outperform him.
3) He has given in to the battle with MS
4) a shift in team favourtism(highly highly unlikely).

what makes this more puzzling is that he has resigned with McLaren, ruling out the first option. With that in mind i can only guess, but my instincts tell me it is option no.2.
I could be wrong?

[Liz]

I'd say Option No. 2 plus the fact that DC is no longer bowing down to him - I don't think Cranky Mika can stand up under real pressure from anybody.

Plus I think he is getting stick at home because he promised to quit when his wife got pregnant and now he won't do it. That latter is only my opinion but Erja is a very determined woman and undoubtedly wears the boxers in that family.

[Minardi fan]

Coulthard is finally showing us what he can do, and in the process is getting to Mika. After 5 (?) years of Cranky being the better driver in the team, DC has finally found his footing.

[EERO]

Neutral, I think all of your reasons save the fourth are likely. Liz comments that Erja is pressuring him at home are probaby not wide of the mark either.
Its a combination of factors and I still think he will retire, despite re-signing for next year.