McLaren dominates first day at Suzuka

The McLaren duo got a flying start to the final race of the season, ending the first day side by side at the top of the time sheets.

David Coulthard held onto second place after Friday practice, despite an accident on his first flying lap in the second session, half an hour before the end of the day's action.

'I clipped a kerb on the exit to turn four and the back snapped around quickly at a place where there is no run off area,' he said. 'I just put on the power and it spun.

'There is no such thing as a small shunt in Formula One - I reckon it was about 120mph but it looked worse than it was.

'At least it was better going in sideways that front on because you lose more energy that way.

'I am happy with the day and if we can be on the front row like this on Sunday when the race starts it would be ideal.

'Hopefully the start we had today will translate into the race.'

But he sounded one cautionary note among an upbeat assessment of his team's chances as Ferrari ended the day with Michael Schumacher third and Eddie Irvine 10th:

'We know Ferrari will be stronger in the race,' he admitted.

The Scot, who is battling to regain third in the championship from Heinz-Harald Frentzen, said he would be out to help Hakkinen take back-to-back titles, but only inside the regulations.

'I will not do anything outside the rules. I will be helping Mika, of course, but only as far as the rules allow.