British GP McLaren race notes

West McLaren Mercedes driver Mika Hakkinen claimed victory in today's British Grand Prix at Silverstone with a gap of 33.646 seconds. It was the first time Mika had won this Grand Prix. David Coulthard's race ended when Jarno Trulli's car touched him at the first corner. David managed to continue but the car sustained too much damage. David remains second in the Drivers' Championship with 47 points and Mika moved to fifth with 19 points. West McLaren Mercedes is second in the Constructors' Championship with 66 points.

Mika Hakkinen
'I feel really good; it's been too long since I have been on the top step of the podium. I'm happy to claim victory here at Silverstone as its one of the races I have always wanted to win, and it's the team's home event. I believe we made a great show today. The car was working well and we had the right strategy. I kept pushing as hard as possible during the race but once I had taken the chequered flag, I slowed right down to enjoy the feeling and wave to the enthusiastic spectators.'

David Coulthard
'Obviously I'm disappointed as this is not the way I would have liked to finish my home race and I believe we were in with a chance to win today. I was ahead coming into turn one and even though I was on the outside, its quite an open corner and I feel Trulli should have given me room but he didn't and we touched. I kept going but the suspension on the car was damaged and I knew it was only a matter of time before I had to retire.'

Ron Dennis
'An afternoon with mixed emotions. Of course we are delighted by Mika's total dominance of our home Grand Prix with the team contributing with a perfect and well executed strategy. David's race was effectively over at the first corner following a collision with Trulli who was understandably fighting for position but should have appreciated that David was ahead. One must always remember that a driver doesn't win races from having a timid approach when faced with split second decisions. The Drivers' World Championship whilst being more difficult to win has most certainly not been won and the Constructors' is even more open.'

Norbert Haug
'Everybody was very happy with Mika's win, which he achieved with a superb drive. Unfortunately David was hit by Trulli, which forced him into retirement early on. David was certainly in with a chance of winning. The team's strategy was perfect and the speed was there to dominate the race.'

-McLaren