French GP Friday McLaren notes

David Coulthard:
"I didn't get as much driving done today as I would have liked as I had a fuel pump problem in the first session and a small oil leak in the front of the oil tank in the second. That said my mechanics did a great job to get the car fixed in time for me to go out again at the end of the second session. I am happy with the cars handling as I think my lap time demonstrates. This is doubtless due to the good results we achieved in testing last week."

Mika Hakkinen:
"The conditions at this circuit are always changing as the temperature fluctuates which makes it difficult to find the best possible lap time. The tyre wear is also quite dramatic and that makes the lap times hard to analyse. But that said, practice went well and we were able to do some set up changes to prepare for qualifying tomorrow."

Ron Dennis:
"A smooth practice for Mika but somewhat troubled for David. Whilst both of the faults were relatively small they each required removal of the engine to gain access to the problem. The lap times from both drivers are encouraging and reflect the very positive test we did here last week. But we must wait until Sunday to see how truly competitive they are."

Norbert Haug:
"We have been fastest in last week's testing on this circuit and are fastest today but what really counts is to be first tomorrow and on Sunday. I think that both David and Mika are in a position to achieve this."