McLaren set to introduce team orders

The McLaren driver has revealed that his team will order him to assist his Finnish team-mate's tilt at a second drivers' championship.

Hakkinen, on 62 points, is two points ahead of Ferrari's Eddie Irvine, and a further 14 ahead of the Scot.

Coulthard, who spun off in last weekend's European Grand Prix, is certain that he will be ordered to back Hakkinen's title charge at next weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix.

'It's something the team will have to decide upon but obviously we don't want Ferrari to win the championship,' said Coulthard.

'Naturally I want to win for myself and want to try and win a championship but equally I have to go with the team's requirements.

'Whether it's myself in this situation or Mika, we both have the same contractual obligations.

'That spin has damaged my championship campaign but nonetheless I still have an outside chance. It's still possible. But naturally I think the best chance lies with Mika.

'There are only 20 points available and for me to win both races and Mika not to finish would be unlikely. I will go into the two races and do the best that I can under the instructions of the team.'

Coulthard denied that he had blown his best ever chance of title glory.

'I'm only 28 years old and I believe I'm going to get better,' he said.

'Mika and Michael Schumacher are both 31 and have much more experience than me.

'I've only been at the front end of Formula One for three years and it has helped that I've been in good cars.'