McLaren boss attacks Schumacher 'mind games'

"Ferrari can say what they like. They can try all the mind games and the psychological warfare, but we will just keep plugging away. We do not fear anybody," said 57-year-old Dennis according to the Press Association

Schumacher had hinted that he did not consider Coulthard to be a championship contender.

However, Dennis even suggested that Schumacher's retirement was his own fault - the result of trying to maintain the gap back to Coulthard who was lapping slightly faster. "A couple of people have said that he hit the armco," said Dennis.

"Maybe that was because David was pushing him hard." However, TV footage showed that this was unlikely.

"I have the greatest respect for Michael, but all this psychology does not wash with us," he added.

In an interview with AUTOSPORT.com, the McLaren boss suggested that the championship is now wide open once more.

"A couple of bad results for them, and we're going to be well and truly in there with a chance," he said. "In fact one more 'Did Not Finish' for him and a good result for us and we're there. In the first few races we were leading - people forget how strong we were in the first two races, and how easy it was to pass those points to Ferrari with our subsequent failures."

To read Adam Cooper's in-depth interview with the McLaren boss, click here.