Grapevine: Coulthard and Hakkinen Set to Re-Sign

McLaren's record-breaking Formula One partnership of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard looks likely to continue for another season. Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug hinted as much at the European Grand Prix on Friday while Briton Coulthard said he wanted to remain with the team.

"Don't expect any surprises," Haug told a news conference when asked about any news on the team's line-up for 2002. "We are in no hurry. We are only at the end of June."

Coulthard, currently second in the title battle 18 points behind Ferrari's world champion Michael Schumacher, has won twice this year and scored points in seven of the eight races so far. Hakkinen has been less fortunate and scored just eight points to languish 50 behind Schumacher. The Finn should have won the Spanish Grand Prix but his car's clutch exploded five laps from the finish while he was comfortably ahead.

"I would like to stay with the team because I have been here since 1996 which is a long time," Coulthard said.

He and two-time champion Hakkinen have been team mates for six seasons, the longest driver partnership in Formula One history. Hakkinen joined the team in 1993. McLaren is the only one of the top three teams yet to confirm their drivers for 2002, with Ferrari announcing last month that their line-up would remain unchanged.

Williams has Ralf Schumacher to the end of 2004 and Juan Pablo Montoya signed on a long-term deal along with Briton Jenson Button, currently on loan to Benetton.

Coulthard said he did not know when any announcement might be made on his future, but it was "an obvious thing to happen" and the team could have no doubt that he was doing his best.

"If I look at the team, they still have what I think represents the best long term opportunity for winning Grands Prix and championships," he said.