No Hakkinen support for Coulthard, yet

The Scot, who has 40 points to Hakkinen's eight, says he is leaving it to team boss Ron Dennis to resolve the thorny issue of when to implement team orders. Double world champ Hakkinen has endured a terrible first half of the season, but publicly insisted last week that he would defy team orders if he was ordered to move aside for the Coulthard.

Asked if he would still go for victory if the team made the request on the radio Hakkinen said: "I would go flat out and win it." But the Finn has set himself a target of the Hungarian GP in August to get his title challenge back on track. Until then Coulthard is on his own.

"I am just concentrating on winning each of the races individually and leave the team to sort out other issues," Coulthard said. "It is not my job to say if and when team orders will be used.

"Basically it's the team's decision. I channel my energy into driving the cars and working with the engineers and leave the team to decide on potential team orders."

Coulthard is 18 points adrift of championship leader Michael Schumacher, and Hakkinen is 50. DC has helped Hakkinen before now and feels sure his team mate will play second fiddle when the time is right.

"I think Mika will support me," said Coulthard, "but only when we know there is no way he can win the championship. He is behind, but if something was to happen he can still challenge. I know I have helped Mika in the past but that has only been when I didn't have a chance for the championship."