Coulthard's position secure says Dennis

He was reacting to criticisms from Eddie Irvine who said the Scot's value was falling by the race after his disappointing start to the season.

'I take great exception to other drivers' expressing their opinions in such a way that throws our commitment to David or Mika into doubt,' said Dennis.

In a series of claims Irvine insisted he is a better driver than Coulthard and that McLaren's world champion driver Mika Hakkinen had several weaknesses.

But his apparent bid to either talk up his salary at Ferrari or land himself a seat at McLaren has badly misfired.

'David's position in this team has never been more secure,' insisted Dennis on the eve of the Canadian Grand Prix, which Coulthard has led for the last two years but has yet to win.

'He is racing better this year than he did last.

'If anyone who has any cause to be uncomfortable it is the team not him. The car has not been as reliable as we would have liked.'

And he gave the Scot a massive boost by saying he is on course to be re-signed for a fifth successive season with the pit lane pacesetters.

'We are completely committed to our drivers and at this moment in time I can see no reason whatsover why they won't be our drivers next year.

'We have had some difficult initial races and most of the unreliability has hit his car rather than Mika's.

'But that is pure coincidence because we do pride ourselves on giving our drivers equal equipment.

'The only question mark is whether he should have been more aggressive at Imola in overtaking back markers.

'I backed him at the time and I back him now.

The Scot is yet to win a race this season and languishes fifth in the drivers' championship because of continual mechanical problems.

'Here at the Canadian Grand Prix he has always had exceptional races and again it's the equipment that has failed him.

'He has had this race won on two occasions last year and the year before and in both instances we failed him.

'He has just got to rise above Eddie's comments and keep his focus.'