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McLaren - facts, figures, drivers

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Location: LONDON

Following are facts and figures about the McLaren team ahead of the 1998 Formula One season -

Formula One record:

Starts - 460

Poles - 80

Wins - 107

Constructors' titles - seven

1997 season - fourth with 63 points.

History:

1963 - Bruce McLaren forms Bruce McLaren Motor Racing Limited.

1966 - McLaren car makes debut at Monaco Grand Prix.

1968 - First win at Belgian Grand Prix.

1974 - McLaren wins first of nine drivers' titles with Emerson Fittipaldi and constructors' title.

McLaren is only team to have won four consecutive drivers' and constructors' titles (1988-1991)

Prospects for the 1998 season:

MP4-13 car powered by Mercedes-Benz engine, Bridgestone tyres.

Tipped by many as favourites for season because of switch to Bridgestone tyres, arrival of designer Adrian Newey from Williams and testing performances.

Reckoned to have best pair of drivers in championship in Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard who both set track test records at Barcelona last month. Team results improved steadily during latter part of 1997 season with Coulthard winning in Monza and Hakkinen in Jerez.

Drivers:

Mika Hakkinen - Aged 29, Finnish. Races 96, poles one, wins 1.

First grand prix win in final race of 1997 in Jerez, while controversial, will lift weight off Hakkinen's shoulders after an unreliable engine robbed him of several winning chances. One of the quickest drivers in formula one, Hakkinen has few weaknesses now he exercises more discretion on the track. Reckons the new narrower cars will suit his driving style. Has bad memories of Australia after suffering a bad crash in practice in 1995. Started Formula One career with Lotus-Judd in 1991 and has raced for McLaren since 1993.

David Coulthard - Aged 26, British. Races 58, poles five, wins 3.

Finished equal fourth in 1997 on 36 points and outsider for drivers' crown in 1998. Cool performer, some would say too cool, who is determined to make his mark in the McLaren team which could lead to friction. Unhappy when Hakkinen went through to win final grand prix of last season in Jerez. Test driver for Williams until Ayrton Senna's death in 1994 when promoted to race driver. Moved to McLaren in 1996. Won last season's Australian Grand Prix and Monza race the day after the funeral of Princess Diana. Performances at end of season showed he was aware of need for greater consistency.

News

18 March 1998

• FIA clamping down on team orders
• Motor racing-McLaren set pace in testing

17 March 1998

• Silverstone testing

15 March 1998

• Coulthard will be awarded win bonus

13 March 1998

• Benetton and McLaren to test at Silverstone

11 March 1998

• McLaren to discuss driver agreement
• Coulthard not happy with tactics

10 March 1998

• Methods must be employed to prevent a repeat of Australian GP
• Dock points from teams who manipulate GP finishes
• $500 on Coulthard
• Opinions on Coulthard's race 'gift' to teammate
• Coulthard explains
• FIA to decide about team orders

9 March 1998

• Punters should have backed both McLaren drivers
• Coulthard expects to be repaid
• McLaren drivers will deploy same tactics at Brazilian GP
• McLaren not to be punished - FIA
• McLaren avoid sanction over 'team orders'
• Politesse -- not pits -- concern fast McLarens
• Australia F1 boss complains over finish
• Rivals warn McLaren of tough battle ahead
• Australian Grand Prix Corporation chairman to lodge complaint
• Minister to ask questions about GP result

8 March 1998

• Mika Hakkinen gets that winning feeling
• McLaren chief says there is more performance
• McLaren Australian GP race press release
• Sporting Coulthard gifts Hakkinen race
• Result of Australian Grand Prix
• Sunday's practice times
• Hakkinen shed tears of joy after win
• McLaren Australian GP qualifying press release
• F1 world championship standings
• Hakkinen wins Australia Grand Prix for McLaren
• Hakkinen and McLaren dominate in Australia
• Hakkinen wins Australian Grand Prix.

7 March 1998

• Driver's comments after Saturday's qualifying
• McLaren accelerating out of F1's shadows
• Hakkinen takes poll in Australia
• McLaren accuses rival team of espionage
• Revised Australian Grand Prix qualifying times
• McLaren Australian GP practice press release
• Australian Grand Prix qualifying times
• Hakkinen in pole position in Australia
• Row over legality of McLaren car erupts

6 March 1998

• Australian Grand Prix practice session times
• McLarens fastest in first practice session
• McLaren clear for brake-steer
• McLaren may be Coulthard's biggest obstacle

5 March 1998

• McLaren launch first two-seater F1 car

4 March 1998

• Coulthard not to get carried away by all the hype

2 March 1998

• Odds for 1998 grand prix season

1 March 1998

• Coulthard's challenge

28 February 1998

• What to expect in 1998

27 February 1998

• McLaren testing at Both Silverstone and Paul Richard

26 February 1998

• Best times at Barcelona last week - overall

20 February 1998

• Barcelona testing report

19 February 1998

• Hakkinen breaks record again for McLaren
• Opinions of the new McLaren
• Takagi impress again

18 February 1998

• McLaren continue setting the pace.
• Barcelona test report for Tuesday

16 February 1998

• Coulthard breaks winter testing record
• McLaren launched new livery

14 February 1998

• Coulthard quickest in testing

13 February 1998

• Testing times for Thursday
• Mika Hakkinen breaks lap record again

12 February 1998

• McLaren passes crash test - first time

7 February 1998

• Coulthard eager to launch his challenge

5 February 1998

• Adrian Newey's McLaren MP4/13 launched.

31 Janaury 1998

• Warsteiner joins West McLaren Mercedes team

30 Janaury 1998

• McLaren back at Barcelona for tyre testing