Hakkinen retires as DTM race driver

Mika Hakkinen

(GMM) Double formula one world champion Mika Hakkinen on Saturday announced his retirement as a driver in the German series DTM.

The Finn quit McLaren and the pinnacle of motor sport at the end of 2001, but returned with long term partner Mercedes-Benz in DTM in 2005.

He won three races in the touring car category.

"It's time for me to stop racing in the DTM," Hakkinen announced at Mercedes' 'Stars and Cars' event in Stuttgart. That's the bad news. The good news is for the other competitors, they can have some peace on the track now," he added.

The 38-year-old added that he would remain involved with Mercedes-Benz.