Collision could cost Hakkinen the title
Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug has admitted the collision between David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen has compromised this year's world championship
'That shunt could have cost Mika and the team another world title,' he said.
'But if it does, then that is okay. It was just a racing accident and it is better to let the drivers get on with it than to control them all the time.
'The world championship remains wide open and that is great for the fans and for the sport.'
Coulthard ran into Hakkinen on the first lap of the race at the A-1 Ring, forcing the Finn to spin and rejoin the race at the back of the field.
Hakkinen claimed he was 'very angry and disappointed' after the race - just before he was whisked off to the McLaren motorhome to meet with Coulthard, team boss Ron Dennis and Haug.
Coulthard immediately apologised to his McLaren team-mate after the race. 'I was really sorry about what happened,' the Scot said.
'I completely misjudged the second corner of the race and tried to go inside him under braking. It was my mistake.'
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