Formula 1
Japanese GP McLaren race notes
Suzuka, Sunday 14th October, 2001 David Coulthard Chassis 06 Track temperature: 26 C Mika Hakkinen Chassis 04 Ambient temperature: 23 C T-car (Mika) Chassis 05 Spare Chassis 07 West ...
Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM
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Suzuka, Sunday 14th October, 2001
David Coulthard Chassis 06 Track temperature: 26 C
Mika Hakkinen Chassis 04 Ambient temperature: 23 C
T-car (Mika) Chassis 05
Spare Chassis 07
West McLaren Mercedes driver David Coulthard finished the last race of the 2001 Formula One season at the Suzuka circuit in Japan in third place, thereby securing second place in the Drivers' World Championship with a total of 65 points. Mika Hakkinen claimed fourth in his last race before his sabbatical to finish fifth in the World Championship with 37 points. Both David and Mika were on a two stop strategy with David coming in on laps 23 and 39 while Mika was in the pits on lap 24 and 38.
DAVID COULTHARD
'I had a fairly uneventful race to be honest, but its great to finish the season on the podium. The balance of the car wasn't too bad so I was trying to push myself and learn things for next year. I locked up a few times going through the hairpin and the chicane but nothing major. I think Mika let me past towards the end of the race as a goodwill gesture and I will thank him later. There is no doubt that I have enjoyed working with him for the past six years and liked our battles. I look forward to working with Kimi, and I'm sure he will be pushing me very hard. I'm having a small break before going back to work on next year's car and our 2002 Championship challenge.'
MIKA HAKKINEN
'The race was as I expected it to be. The team performed well and we had the right strategy. I want to thank everybody who I have worked with for the past nine years for all the effort they put into making my career so successful. I'm happy that David finished on the podium, and I must admit that by letting him past I wanted to give him something back for the occasions in the past when he has helped me. It will take some time to understand my new life and establish whether I enjoy it or not. Right now I'm looking forward to my sabbatical but I'm sure I will also miss Formula One.'
RON DENNIS
'A good race strategy coupled with reliability yielded third and fourth places for us today. However as always we came to win and that is definitely our objective for the 2002 season. Of course we are also happy for David to achieve his best result in the World Championship so far, but we are all looking forward to be even more competitive next year. The entire team wishes Mika an enjoyable and well-earned break and will soon be welcoming Kimi to West McLaren Mercedes.'
NORBERT HAUG
'A nice end to a tough season. Runner-up position in the Constructors' World Championship and David's second place in the Drivers' Championship provide good motivation for going one better in 2002. We wish Mika all the best for his break. Thanks Mika -- you did a lot for West McLaren Mercedes and the team certainly will miss you.'
-McLaren-
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