Spanish GP McLaren race notes

SPANISH GRAND PRIX - RACE DAY

Chassis Numbers Mika Hakkinen MP4 - 14 /05 David Coulthard MP4 - 14 /04 T Car MP4 - 14 /02

The West McLaren Mercedes team completed the Spanish Grand Prix with their first one1-2 victory of the season. Mika Hakkinen took pole position in qualifying which put him in a good place from which to win the race. Team mate David Coulthard also put in an excellent performance in the race claiming second position just 6.238 secs behind Mika.

MIKA HAKKINEN 'It's great to be on the top of the podium again I really enjoyed it, the pitstops were excellent and all the guys did a great job. I was pleased with my start and once I was in front, as always, I had to maintain maximum concentration from start to finish. At one stage I slowed up but that was intentional. Now I am looking forward to Canada.'

DAVID COULTHARD 'I got a good start to the race and the first part of the race went well apart from the fact I was suffering from a little oversteer. I radioed in and they adjusted the tyre pressures to counteract this, but in fact the adjustment gave me understeer as well as the previous characteristics. However, the third set were much better and I was able to push harder again and put some time in between Michael and myself.'

RON DENNIS 'A satisfying end to a difficult weekend. We could have done better in practice but the race speaks for itself. The team did a great job and of course it is good to reduce the points differential between us and our competitors.'

NORBERT HAUG 'This was a very special result for the whole team, because everything was done in the best possible way. The strategy was right, the speed and the discipline of both Mika and David was excellent. We managed to get both cars ahead of the Ferraris. A big thank you goes to all our crew members working day and night since testing began at the start of the season to make the defence of both World Championship titles possible.