Dennis explains Coulthard's form

McLaren boss Ron Dennis believes that David Coulthard's recent form stems from the lack of pressure on the Scot to win the Driver's championship. Coulthard won the Monaco Grand Prix and came second in Canada despite Dennis predicting the race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve would be 'painful' for the team.

Coulthard is now fourth in the standings, just one point behind the joint second placed Williams drivers Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya. Dennis thinks that the championship is now too difficult for Coulthard to win and this has taken the pressure off him.

"When you are not contending for the world championship it does reduce the pressure and allows you to drive better," Dennis said. "Driving with the pressure of having a chance to win the championship increases the task. I'm not saying David can't win the world championship, but it is mathematically difficult. Therefore he starts every race with the desire to finish well but also enjoy it. That takes away stress and pressure and that is the environment in which you make mistakes, so that's why David is driving so well."

Dennis may have faith in Coulthard but he's hedging his bets over the driver line up for next year. Coulthard commented in Montreal that he had a definite contract to drive for McLaren next year; the team also have an option on Kimi Raikkonen and Dennis is still in discussion with former McLaren star Mika Hakkinen.

"I have had two long meetings with Mika," he said. "And in the documentation which covers his involvement with us, there are some provisions dictating the timing for making a decision."