Japanese GP Saturday McLaren Notes

The West McLaren Mercedes team finished qualifying for the final grand prix of the season in second and third places. Mika Hakkinen posted a 1:37.820 with David Coulthard behind him on a 1:38.239.

MIKA HAKKINEN 'Obviously I am disappointed that I am not on pole, especially as I think I could have gone quicker on my last lap. My incident at the final chicane involving Jean Alesi was unfortunate, but things like that happen and I don't think it was anybody's fault. As for the car we have improved all the way through practice and qualifying and it is feeling good, it is particularly consistent which I think will be really good for us in the race tomorrow.'

DAVID COULTHARD 'All things considered I am reasonably happy with qualifying and definitely I will be in better shape in the race. I am excited to see what will happen tomorrow afternoon, because although qualifying has finished this way, it doesn't mean that we will be in the same order when we come out of the first corner. Hopefully we will be reliable and hopefully we will get the result that we are focusing on.'

RON DENNIS 'Mika was unlucky to loose the opportunity to improve his times on both his third and last run. Whilst Irvine's accident was one of those things, the incident at the chicane was a little more difficult to accept. That said we are in good shape for the race and our grid positions should allow us a real opportunity to retain our World Championships.'

NORBERT HAUG 'Tomorrow, if we have the same result, then we will be where we want to be.'