Argentine GP McLaren notes

Argentine Grand Prix 7 April 1996 Race Review

The Marlboro Grand Prix of Argentina, which was held in ideal weather conditions, saw Mika Hakkinen retire on lap 20 with a throttle control problem and David Coulthard finish in seventh place. The Scotsman made an excellent start, overtaking four cars, and reaching up to fourth place during the course of the Grand Prix. The race was characterised by a high rate of attrition, with only 10 cars taking the chequered flag.

Mika Hakkinen: "I retired from the race because of a technical problem. The throttle started jamming at 6-7,000 revs about 10 laps into the race, and I was not able to continue as the engine's idle speed would not fall below that rate, which was pushing the car in the slow speed corners."

David Coulthard: "I had a very good start and was running up in the points initially. My first pit stop went well, but after my second stop I was never able to achieve the same balance that I had on the first two sets of tyres. So Irvine and Verstappen were eventually able to pass me. I am dissappointed to finish seventh but otherwise happy to have completed my first race with the team. Our race strategy and the pitstops went well."

Norbert Haug: "We were completely unable to duplicate our morning warm-up pace, and this result is definitively not what we wanted to achieve. We now have to concentrate on the Silverstone test and improve our performance in preparation for our home Grand Prix at the Nurburgring. As promisingly as the weekend started on Friday, as disappointingly it ended today."

Ron Dennis: "The results speak for themselves. Mika retired with throttle control problem, whilst David's race was badly affected by an inconsistency in the handling of the car on his third set of tyres. At times like this, you have to look forward, understnad the problems and work hard. Nothing else will change the future performance of the team."