McLaren gets focused on reclaiming top spot

Pre-season testing has raised doubts over the reliability, if not the speed, of the latest McLaren-Mercedes, the MP4-16, but Dennis appears confident that a 100 per cent retirement rate in the last two Australian Grands Prix will be halted at this weekend's Melbourne season-opener.

"This is an important season for everyone involved with the West McLaren Mercedes," he said, "and we are determined to succeed. I believe that you must always learn from the past and use that knowledge productively to improve your own performance. We feel we have accomplished this during the off-season, and the winter testing times support our belief that the MP4-16 will be competitive in 2001."

Mika Hakkinen finished the 2000 season as runner-up to Michael Schumacher in the final standings, failing to become the first driver to take a hat-trick of titles since the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. But the Finn says normal service will be resumed for 2001.

"I feel very motivated this year," he said. "Last season's result has increased my desire to win, which is now stronger than ever, and I intend to do my best to win back the drivers' title and to help the team win the constructors' championship.

"The first race of the season is always exciting, as it provides the opportunity to see how the car truly performs."

David Coulthard, who was more integral to the winter testing programme than Hakkinen and is hoping to improve on his current best championship finish of third overall, added: "I am very focused on getting the maximum out of the car, the team and myself and I feel that we are well-prepared for the new season. I always enjoy driving at Albert Park - it may not be the quickest track, but the atmosphere is fantastic."

Melbourne will be the 100th Grand Prix for the partnership of McLaren and Mercedes. In that time, the team has amassed 26 victories, 32 pole positions and 574 points.