Ron Dennis gives his support to Coulthard

McLaren Mercedes team chief Ron Dennis Ron Dennis has backed David Coulthard for a successful championship challenge next year. Dennis put his faith in David Coulthard to come up with the goods next year to clinch his first drivers World Championship title. The Scot had his most successful season of his career this year with runners-up spot, despite being a massive 58 points behind the crowned king Michael Schumacher.

But providing the team can give Coulthard the machinery, Dennis has given the 30-year-old his full support to beat the illustrious Schumacher. "David has beaten Michael in the past so he can do it again," Dennis told Autosport. "We've just to provide him with the best equipment, and we could make it a bit easier for him by giving him even better equipment."

The Scot was hampered by a series of mechanical failures throughout his 2001 challenge but Dennis has vowed that the team will try harder next season.

"He is more than capable of doing it," said Dennis. "It's not easy to be the best at anything in this world and it's certainly not easy to be the best in F1. But if you have the resolve then you have to look at what has to be changed and improve on those areas and be careful that you don't harm the things that work well. We will try harder."

Whilst the beginning of every season sees the Scot putting his name on the title, only to see him fail time and time again, there is no disputing the added performance displayed throughout the 2001 season. However, David will need to have as much support as possible as he won't be the only one vying to take Schumacher's crown. Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya has also set his sights on glory and plans on fighting the Ferrari champion at every opportunity.