Austrian GP Mercedes-Benz results

Mercedes and Hakkinen Win Austrian Grand Prix
West McLaren Mercedes Takes Lead in F1 Constructor's World Championship

The West McLaren Mercedes team scored its fourth one-two victory of the season to take the lead in the Formula One Constructor's Championship as two-time defending champion Mika Hakkinen won the Austrian Grand Prix from the pole position over teammate David Coulthard.

With the win, West McLaren Mercedes leads the Constructor's Championship by six points (98 to 92) over Ferrari. In the Driver's Championship, Coulthard closed the gap to six points behind leader Michael Schumacher (56 to 50), while Hakkinen moved to within eight points (48), setting up a tight battle for the championship in the final seven races.

"I am very happy to claim my 16th career victory here in Austria," said Hakkinen. "More importantly, it is a great result for the whole team today. We're definitely back on track, and I'm back where I want to be."

The two Mercedes-powered race cars started from the front row of the grid, with Hakkinen retaining the lead into the first corner from his 25th career pole position. As Hakkinen and Coulthard accelerated toward the second corner of the A1 Ring, a multiple-car pile-up behind them eliminated Schumacher from the race. Hakkinen and Coulthard dominated the remainder of the race, with Coulthard setting the fastest lap of the race before Hakkinen scored the win by 12.535 seconds.

The Formula One World Championship will travel to the United States for the inaugural U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 24.