McLaren team mates make history
McLaren team-mates Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard made history as they finished on the podium in Hungary, becoming the most successful partnership in the team's history. The duo set a new record 77-race partnership, surpassing the previous total held by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost
Hakkinen's victory means they have equalled the win total of the two world champions during their tenure at the Woking team. However, while Senna and Prost amassed 25 wins between them in two seasons (88/89) it has taken today's duo four (97-2000). Prost and Senna's McLaren stint encompassed the most successful season for any team with 15 wins out of 16 in 1988.
Both Hakkinen and Coulthard have already signed to go into a record fifth year in 2001 with McLaren.
"I didn't realise that was what we have achieved," said Coulthard. "But there are a lot of benefits to continuity and staying in the same team. I have enjoyed it and like to think I have contributed to what McLaren have achieved in that time."
Hakkinen is the most successful driver of the two partnerships, with 16 wins to his credit while partnered with Coulthard. Senna won 14 of his 41 victories during his partnership with Prost, who scored 11 in this period. Coulthard has eight victories while partnered with Hakkinen.
However, Senna is the most successful McLaren driver having won 35 races during his six years at McLaren.
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