Feb.18 (GMM) Mika Hakkinen has predicted a strong showing for his former team, McLaren, and Finnish countryman Heikki Kovalainen, in 2008.



"I have a gut feeling that McLaren-Mercedes this year will be very strong," the retired 1998 and 1999 world champion told Auto Bild.



"If that is the case," the 39-year-old added, "then Heikki has every ability to have the speed of Lewis Hamilton and win many races."



Hakkinen, meanwhile, ruled out following the example of his former nemesis, Michael Schumacher, and regularly testing for his old team.



"This is not for me," Hakkinen insisted, "because if you really want to test, you need to bring precisely the same attitude as you need for the racing.



"You have to have both your mind and your body in shape, in order to give the proper service to the team," he added.