Dennis praises DC

The Scot followed team-mate Mika Hakkinen home for McLaren's first one 1-2 since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, but was probably more delighted at beating arch-rival Eddie Irvine to second place.

Dennis said, 'David drove a great race and put Eddie under enough pressure so he made the mistake.

'That was particularly gratifying to see after being told you've taken the wrong decision on your drivers. We made the logical choice for next year and today proved that.'

The Ulsterman, who is leading the championship, had bragged he could beat Coulthard 'any day of the week'.

But under pressure from Coulthard Irvine slid off the circuit 13 laps from the finish and had to settle for third.

'Least said, quickest mended,' said Coulthard. 'Eddie is not quite so chirpy today. It didn't surprise me that he went off because I was putting him under pressure.

'I am delighted with second place. When I dropped a couple of places and found myself fifth on the first lap I was thinking this is a going to be an awful race.

'But the team got the strategy right and got me back to third. I don't know if I could have got past Eddie if he hadn't gone off, but it doesn't matter now.'

Coulthard now has 36 points and is equal third with Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the drivers championship, trailing Hakkinen by 18 points and Irvine by 20.

'I'm still in with a chance of the championship,' he said.