Coulthard: Mika will move over for me

The Scot saw his hopes of qualifying on pole dashed when he was outperformed by Michael Schumacher and team mate Mika Hakkinen. The Scotsman could only manage the third fastest time, while Schumacher and Hakkinen are on the front row.

But heading into the 11th round trying to cut down the German's 31 point lead, Coulthard said he expects team boss Ron Dennis to issue team orders if the situation arises.

"There's a whole host of scenarios and it might not arise, so it's too early for anybody to give a definite yes or no answer," he said. " But if Mika is leading, I'm second and Michael third, then I would expect Mika to move over. I think it's logical if you are going for the championship, and one guy has the chance and the other doesn't, then it's only logical what the team will do."

Hakkinen's chances of winning the world championship are close to zero. He trails by 69 points and would have to win all of the last seven races without Schumacher scoring a single point, to triumph.

"I doubt we'll discuss it before the race," added Coulthard. "I don't need to tell the team anything. I believe they know the right thing to do to maximise their chances of winning. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to work it out.

"If we have problems with the car, it might not be an issue so there's no point making an issue out of something until you are in the scenario. But it's the policy we've had in the past, and that's what I would expect in the future.

"Mika has no chance of winning the world championship. I have. I've contributed a few times during the course of a season where I've held station and let it be known before the start of a weekend that whatever happens I would be helping him.

"I'm putting my trust in the key people and I'm sure they will do the right thing if the situation arises. I believe in Mika's integrity. If he is given an instruction then I believe he will do it.

"I don't expect that out of the kindness of his heart he will move over, because I wouldn't. The only time I've helped it's been with an instruction. But I would rather win the race outright than with any help at all, but let's wait and see what happens."