McLaren Drivers Free to Race Each Other

McLaren boss Ron Dennis said on Saturday that his drivers Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard would be free to fight for victory in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix despite their collision at the track last year.

Hakkinen spun out at the second corner last year when Coulthard tried to overtake him, although the Finn later charged through the field to finish third behind Britons Eddie Irvine and Coulthard.

Dennis made it clear he would not impose any orders to prevent a repeat incident after the pair took the leading two positions in qualifying on Saturday.

"The drivers are free to race and hopefully both will have a strong desire to come around on the first lap," he said at the A1-Ring. "They know what is expected and they don't need to be told."

Coulthard, who is hoping to close a 12 point gap behind German world championship leader Michael Schumacher, has also made it clear that he will not drive any slower because of what happened last season.

"What happened last year between Mika and I can happen at any grand prix," he said.

"I won't hesitate if I see any opportunity to overtake just because of what happened here 12 months ago. I will be racing hard and that will be the same with Mika or anyone else on the track."