Mika Hakkinen has admitted that Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix could be the last of his career.
"It is the last grand prix for me for a long time, maybe forever," the McLaren driver told a news conference after today's free practice for the season-ending race.
"I don't know myself yet to be honest," added the two times world champion who claimed his 20th career victory in the previous race at Indianapolis.
"I'm still focusing very hard on this weekend, I'll try to make the best possible result here for myself and for the team, so I don't want to put my mind to this kind of thing."
Hakkinen has said he wants to take a year out to spend time with his wife and baby son. Both he and team principal Ron Dennis had previously insisted he would return in 2003.
"Mika is adamant that he is coming back and so would I be if I were in his shoes," Dennis told the same conference before Hakkinen spoke.
The Finn's compatriot Kimi Raikkonen has been recruited to take his place at McLaren next year alongside Briton David Coulthard and the question of what happens in 2003 remains open.
"As regards what happens, well it will be a nice problem to have," said Dennis.