Hakkinen claimed his second victory of the season despite being demoted to fourth on the grid, after qualifying second, for jumping a red light when his McLaren left the pit lane in the warm-up on Sunday.

"I was pissed off. I was really upset. In reality of course there is no excuse, but after all there were five cars lined up and it was impossible to see the light," Hakkinen told a news conference.

"The rules are rules but you have to use common sense."

Hakkinen, who also damaged his car in the warm-up, held off world champion Michael Schumacher and his Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello for the last 23 laps of the 73-lap race.

"That was definitely one of the highlights of the season.

"This grand prix is definitely one of my most important victories. I rate Monaco, Silverstone and Indianapolis as ones everyone wants to win, something special.

"I am never going to forget this, it's great. This weekend has gone so fantastically, except for this morning," said the Finn who plans to take next year off.

"I am still a bit confused to be honest to experience what has happened today, particularly because of this morning's incident and what happened to me."

Second-placed Schumacher said Hakkinen had won the race "fair and square."

"I'm pretty happy for him because to some degree justice has probably taken place after what happened to him this morning.

"I guess he's going to rethink his decision (to take a year out) after this one."

Engine blows
Barrichello, battling with McLaren's David Coulthard for second place in the championship, was forced to retire on the penultimate lap when his engine failed.

Coulthard finished third and is now seven points ahead of Brazil's Barrichello. There is just one race to go, in Japan.

"I'm a bit disappointed obviously for Rubens, it could have been his second position today.

"I think it is the first engine failure we have had this year, that's not too bad. It would probably have been better happening to me than him," Schumacher said.

"The way the race went you have to be happy with second place."

Schumacher almost quit motor racing after the race in Monza two weeks ago, which took place in the aftermath of the attacks on New York and Washington. But he felt the drivers had helped lighten the mood among Americans today.