Team Tactics at Center-Stage in Suzuka

Team tactics, as much as speed, could prove decisive in Sunday's crucial Japanese Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and McLaren's Mika Hakkinen, the two title contenders, will be hoping for as much help as possible from their team mates in the race to the chequered flag.

Despite the sudden introduction of new rules aimed at eliminating "unsportsmanlike" driving, the number two drivers for Ferrari and Mclaren are well placed to play a role in deciding the winner of the race.

Mclaren's David Coulthard and Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello will line up right behind their respective team mates on Sunday's starting grid and, with neither of them in contention for the title, helping the team is likely to take priority.

"The situation between Mika and Michael is quite clear now. They have to fight for this championship," said Barrichello.

"Now we must wait until mid-race to see where we are and if I can help I will help 100 percent."

Coulthard was more reticent about how much help he could give Hakkinen, saying only that he would have "the best seat in the house to watch the race".

"There's been so much talk about this and I think everyone's overplaying what teams can actually do," said the British driver after his qualifying run on Saturday.

Blocking Tactics

Neither McLaren nor Ferrari have been reluctant to use blocking tactics in the past.

In last year's penultimate race in Malaysia Schumacher sprinted into the lead but then slowed down to let teammate Eddie Irvine, who was in the title hunt, pass him.

The German proceeded to slow down the chasing McLaren of Hakkinen.

A year later, F1 authorities have introduced new rules for Suzuka, which allow the race director to identify unsportsmanlike tactics and impose penalties on drivers.

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis said on Saturday he was dismayed by the rule change, adding that it would not help his team's attempt to keep Hakkinen in the running for his third successive world title.

"No one can ever condone driving that is dangerous. But ... driving in a manner that enhances a team's performance is a historical right that's existed in grand prix racing for years," he said.

Norbert Haug, motor sport manager for McLaren partner Mercedes agreed, saying the new rules were wide open to interpretation.

"The question is what level of defending one's position is going to be deemed acceptable?" he asked.

Despite the stricter rules Dennis said there were no plans to change team tactics for Sunday's race.

"You start the race with a strategy and you vary the race with tactics. We will race against what we believe to be the accepted practice and that's what you'd expect us to do," he said.