Japanese GP McLaren notes

Japanese Grand Prix 27 - 29 October 1995

The Marlboro McLaren Mercedes team celebrated their second podium appearance of the season as Mika Hakkinen finished the 1995 Japanese Grand Prix in second place, 19.3 seconds behind Michael Schumacher, after a trouble-free race based on a one pit stop strategy. Meanwhile, Mark Blundell, having recovered from his heavy accident of Saturday`s free practice, drove superbly from the back of the grid to seventh place, missing out on a championship point by only 1.8s.

Mika Hakkinen: "The race was great from start to finish. I had no problems at the start, did not lose any places, and I was able to pick up my speed gradually behind Michael and Jean. Hill was behind me trying to overtake but I always managed to maintain some distance between us. From then on, the whole race went really nicely, and I am extremely happy to take this trophy, which represents my best race ever."

Mark Blundell: "I am pleased with my performance in the race, but not as happy with my performance over the last two days, which has basically cost us a position in the points. I am delighted for the team as Mika's result is exactly what we needed and I am looking forward to doing the same thing in Australia."

Norbert Haug: "Mika did a fantastic job. Our package was as good as anybody else's and we have now reached an important step forward, which fulfills our goal of the first season to build up a chassis/engine/driver combination capable of winning races by the end of the year. Being 20 seconds behind the World Champion Michael Schumacher is for me as good as a victory. I also would like to thank Mark, who was brilliant and missed a championship point by only 1.8s, having started from the back of the grid."

Ron Dennis: "This is our first real second place, which represents of course a very good result for the team. Mika had an exceptional race, and Mark did extremely well to come from the back of the grid through to seventh. He would have been justly reward if he'd managed to get that one point, but in the circumstances, I think we should be content with a reasonble weekend's work."