Coulthard takes the blame

'Today was my nightmare scenario,' he admitted. 'Not only did I take out my team mate, I also finished second to our opposition.

'I was on the brakes going into the corner but by then Mika was turning in. I am very sorry for what happened. I completely misjudged the corner.'

Hakkinen declined to comment at length on the incident and said he was relieved just to take some points.

'Whatever happened at the second corner is no longer important,' he said. 'I appreciate David's apologies. The car did not feel right after the incident but I just went flat-out to regain positions.'

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug described the race as 'unnecessarily difficult,' but team chief Ron Dennis was more philosophical.

'Days like today can be used to strengthen a team,' he said. 'David's apology and Mika's acceptance of it reflects the maturity of their relationship.

'I hope Bernie Ecclestone appreciates our contribution to maintaining the excitement of Formula One!'