Haug refuses to be downbeat

Instead the Mercedes motorsport boss warned McLaren will bounce back stronger in 2001.

McLaren needed a 1-2 to have a realistic chance of depriving Ferrari of the team's trophy but a stop-go inflicted on Mika Hakkinen after the start destroyed their slim chances at the outset.

Haug insisted the entire team had done a fantastic job but this time Ferrari were better.

"I am not disappointed at all," said the German, who saw McLaren lose the constructors' title by 18 points at the Sepang circuit. Michael Schumacher wrapped up the drivers' title in Japan two weeks ago.

"The team did a fantastic job all season. It has been a great year in which both our drivers have been challenging for the world championship.

"We had the speed again today, but Mika was penalised and got a stop and go. He was on the right strategy, but if you are in the pits for 10 seconds, you are not going to win. He still came in fourth and that is a great achievement.

"David also put a lot of pressure on Michael, until the final lap and that is a great performance.

"Look at the last three years. We have won two drivers' championships and we won the constructors' last year. We have also been two times runner-up in the constructors' championship. If we are disappointed, then we are in the wrong sport."

Haug added: "We were strong competitors this year and we are going to be strong competitors in the future, very strong. Don't worry."

"Ferrari were better this time."


To see the final results of the Malaysian GP click HERE.

To see how the race unfolded with autosport.com's lap by lap report click HERE.

To see the final drivers' championship standings click HERE.

To see the final constructors' standings click HERE.