Coulthard Spies on Hakkinen's Starts

David Coulthard said on Thursday he had been studying McLaren teammate and Formula One rival Mika Hakkinen's starting technique ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

Hakkinen's quick getaways in the last two races have been a key factor in propelling him into the lead in the world drivers' championship, ahead of Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and Coulthard.

The Scot said: "My last couple of starts have not been good enough but I've looked at the data to see how Mika has done his.

"But it is one thing understanding how they are done, it is quite another actually being able to do it.

"Mika has shown in the last few races that it is not ultimately important to qualify on the front row, it's about leading out of the first corner."

Hakkinen, seeking his third world title in a row, has 64 points, two ahead of Schumacher and six ahead of Coulthard, with five of the 17-race season remaining.

The Finn has taken the lead in the last two Grand Prix in Germany and Hungary by the first corner after starting on the second row of the grid. He finished second in Hockenheim and won at the Hungaroring.

Schumacher, however, played down Hakkinen's success, saying: "If you get your start completely right then these things happen. I have made such starts in the past and I will make them in the future."

The German, who led the championship all season until Hungary, will be boosted at the weekend by a new qualifying and race engine, as well as encouraging recent testing sessions at Mugello in Italy.

"As usual we have made a few steps forward in testing and I am feeling quite confident," he said.

Hakkinen said: "Leading the championship is fantastic and I am very happy about it, but the negative aspect is that it is going to be very hard staying ahead until the end of the season."