Haug says Coulthard can be king

Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug claims that he would not be surprised if the Scotsman became McLaren's leading performer in 2001.

"I absolutely believe [David can do it], yes," said Haug. "I cannot imagine much more difficult tasks than having a better year than Michael Schumacher. But David managed to beat him more times last year than he has managed before.

"If he continues that development, there is no reason to believe that he cannot beat him over a whole year."

Haug not only points to Coulthard's improved qualifying and race pace as evidence that he has what it takes to launch a world championship challenge, but cites Coulthard's race-finishing consistency as vitally important too.

"There is no driver in the 2000 championship who finished more races than David," revealed Haug. "Apart from the event in Melbourne, where he had to retire due to an engine failure, and from Monza, where he was shoved off the track, David always finished races. So there might be a change of leadership ahead of us.

"I don't think many people saw the true potential of Mika Hakkinen for many years - and today people say his name in the same sentence as that of Michael Schumacher."